Ana Bravo-Vazquez

Mrs. Ana Bravo-Vazquez


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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25 November 2024 in Healthcare
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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LBLaura Fernández Bueno
Laura Fernández Bueno
DTDolores Torres-Enamorado
Dolores Torres-Enamorado
ABAna Bravo-Vazquez
Ana Bravo-Vazquez
Cleofás Rodríguez BlancoCleofás Rodríguez Blanco
Cleofás Rodríguez Blanco
Carlos Bernal-UtreraCarlos Bernal-Utrera
Carlos Bernal-Utrera
Introduction: Population aging increases the risk of dependency among older adults, which in turn necessitates care, primarily provided by family caregivers. This situation leads to physical and emotional strain on these caregivers. New technologies, such as tele-education, digital platforms, or mobile applications, can offer an accessible and equitable alternative for caregiver training and self-care support. Objective: The objective of this review is to analyze interventions targeted at family caregivers, both for their own self-care and for the care of dependent individuals, using new technologies. Design: A scoping review was conducted, including a total of thirty-two articles extracted from three databases: CINAHL, Scopus, and PubMed. Articles in any language were included, with no fixed time limit, while articles with samples that included family caregivers of oncology patients were excluded. Results: Most of the interventions were conducted via videoconference, showing outcomes that indicated a reduction in depressive symptoms among family caregivers. Conclusions: The implementation of new technologies for the development of interventions presents a viable alternative to in-person sessions. These technologies have shown positive results, while also helping to overcome time and geographical barriers imposed by caregiving responsibilities.

14 April 2026 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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ABAna Bravo-Vazquez
Ana Bravo-Vazquez
EAErnesto Anarte-Lazo
Ernesto Anarte-Lazo
APAlba Perez-Alvarez
Alba Perez-Alvarez
Cleofás Rodríguez BlancoCleofás Rodríguez Blanco
Cleofás Rodríguez Blanco
Carlos Bernal-UtreraCarlos Bernal-Utrera
Carlos Bernal-Utrera
Tension-type headache (TTH) is the most prevalent primary headache disorder worldwide, contributing substantially to individual disability and global socioeconomic burden. Despite its high prevalence, TTH remains clinically heterogeneous, with episodic and chronic forms influenced by the dynamic interplay of peripheral, central, psychosocial, and lifestyle-related mechanisms. Peripheral musculoskeletal factors, including craniocervical muscle alterations and myofascial trigger points, interact with central sensitization processes, while psychosocial stressors, coping strategies, and lifestyle habits such as sleep and physical activity modulate pain perception and chronification risk. Current approaches often address these domains in isolation, limiting therapeutic effectiveness and the understanding of interindividual variability. This narrative review critically synthesizes evidence on the multifactorial determinants of TTH, providing an integrative conceptual framework. We systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for articles published between 2010 and 2025, including conceptually or methodologically foundational studies outside this range. Relevant studies were selected based on predefined inclusion criteria and synthesized narratively to highlight key mechanisms and contributing factors. The proposed model emphasizes multidimensional assessment, incorporating peripheral musculoskeletal evaluation, central pain modulation, psychosocial profiling, and lifestyle factors, thereby providing a conceptual basis for future personalized management approaches. Recognizing TTH as a dynamic, multidimensional condition may inform clinical assessment and patient-centered interventions, while also highlighting key gaps for future longitudinal and multimodal research aimed at validating the framework and improving individualized therapeutic strategies. The evidence presented is primarily narrative and observational, and clinical applicability should be confirmed in future studies.

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ABAna Bravo-Vazquez
Ana Bravo-Vazquez
EAErnesto Anarte-Lazo
Ernesto Anarte-Lazo
Cleofás Rodríguez BlancoCleofás Rodríguez Blanco
Cleofás Rodríguez Blanco
Carlos Bernal-UtreraCarlos Bernal-Utrera
Carlos Bernal-Utrera
Background/Objectives: Tension-type headache (TTH) is the most prevalent form of primary headache. The etiology of TTH is not yet fully understood, although it is associated with the presence of myofascial trigger points (MTPs) in cervical and facial muscles. Dry needling (DN) therapy has emerged as an effective and safe non-pharmacological option for pain relief, but there are a lack of systematic reviews focused on its specific characteristics in TTH. The aim of this paper is to examine the characteristics and methodologies of DN in managing TTH. Methods: A scoping review was conducted with inclusion criteria considering studies that evaluated DN interventions in adults with TTH, reporting target muscles, diagnostic criteria, and technical features. The search was performed using PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and the Web of Science, resulting in the selection of seven studies after a rigorous filtering and evaluation process. Results: The included studies, primarily randomized controlled trials, involved a total of 309 participants. The most frequently treated muscles were the temporalis and trapezius. Identification of MTPs was mainly performed through manual palpation, although diagnostic criteria varied. DN interventions differed in technique. All studies included indicated favorable outcomes with improvements in headache symptoms. No serious adverse effects were reported, suggesting that the technique is safe. However, heterogeneity in protocols and diagnostic criteria limits the comparability of results. Conclusions: The evidence supports the use of DN in key muscles such as the temporalis and trapezius for managing TTH, although the diversity in methodologies and diagnostic criteria highlights the need for standardization. The safety profile of the method is favorable, but further research is necessary to define optimal protocols and improve reproducibility. Implementing objective diagnostic criteria and uniform protocols will facilitate advances in clinical practice and future research, ultimately optimizing outcomes for patients with TTH.

31 July 2025 in Medicina
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
EAErnesto Anarte-Lazo
Ernesto Anarte-Lazo
ABAna Bravo-Vazquez
Ana Bravo-Vazquez
Carlos Bernal-UtreraCarlos Bernal-Utrera
Carlos Bernal-Utrera
Daniel Torres-LagaresDaniel Torres-Lagares
Daniel Torres-Lagares
Deborah FallaDeborah Falla
Deborah Falla
Cleofás Rodríguez BlancoCleofás Rodríguez Blanco
Cleofás Rodríguez Blanco
Background and objectives: Trismus is a frequent and debilitating complication in people with head and neck cancer (HNC) which leads to significant functional limitations and reduced quality of life. Rehabilitation interventions are commonly recommended to manage or prevent trismus. However, in many randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the theoretical justification for these interventions is poorly articulated, and the underlying biological or physiological mechanisms are not described in detail, limiting our understanding of why certain treatments may (or may not) work. This review aimed to identify and analyze how RCTs report the rationale for rehabilitation interventions and the explanations used to manage this population. Materials and Methods: A scoping review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Five databases (PubMed, PEDro, Web of Science, Scopus, and EMBASE) were searched up to May 2025 for RCTs evaluating rehabilitation interventions for the management or prevention of treatment-induced trismus in patients with HNC. Data were extracted and synthesized narratively, focusing on the type of intervention, the rationale for its use, and the proposed mechanisms of action. Results: Of 2215 records identified, 24 RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Thirteen studies focused on preventive interventions—primarily exercise therapy—while the remainder addressed established trismus using exercise, manual therapy, electrotherapy, or combined treatment modalities. The rationales provided for intervention selection were heterogeneous and often lacked depth, with most studies justifying interventions based on their potential to improve mouth opening or reduce fibrosis but rarely grounding these claims in detailed pathophysiological models. Only half of the studies provided any mechanistic explanation for the intervention’s effects, and these were typically generic or speculative. Conclusions: RCTs investigating rehabilitation interventions for treatment-induced trismus in patients with HNC frequently lack comprehensive rationales and mechanistic explanations for their interventions. This gap limits the ability to refine and optimize treatment approaches, as the underlying processes driving clinical improvements remain poorly understood. Future research should be guided by theoretical models and include objective outcomes to better elucidate the mechanisms of action of interventions to inform clinical practice.

10 April 2026 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ABAna Bravo-Vazquez
Ana Bravo-Vazquez
EAElena De La Barrera Aranda de la Barrera Aranda
Elena De La Barrera Aranda de la Barrera Aranda
EAErnesto Anarte-Lazo
Ernesto Anarte-Lazo
Cleofás Rodríguez BlancoCleofás Rodríguez Blanco
Cleofás Rodríguez Blanco
Carlos Bernal-UtreraCarlos Bernal-Utrera
Carlos Bernal-Utrera
Background: Tension-type headache (TTH) is the most prevalent primary headache disorder worldwide and represents a major source of disability related to chronic pain. Despite its high prevalence, uncertainty remains regarding optimal conservative management strategies, and limited evidence is available on how physiotherapists apply existing recommendations in routine clinical practice. Objective: The objective was to explore physiotherapists’ perceptions, clinical experiences, and treatment strategies in the management of tension-type headache, with particular emphasis on commonly used interventions, clinical decision-making, and characteristics of physiotherapy care. Methods: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted using a self-administered online survey developed in accordance with the CHERRIES guidelines. One hundred Spanish physiotherapists with clinical experience in treating patients with TTH participated. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively, while open-ended responses were examined using inductive thematic analysis following the framework proposed by Braun and Clarke. Results: Manual therapy was the most frequently reported intervention (96%), followed by therapeutic exercise (61%) and invasive techniques, primarily dry needling (48%). The suboccipital and upper cervical regions were consistently identified as primary therapeutic targets, reflecting a predominant craniocervical treatment focus. Most respondents reported individualized treatment plans, typically delivered in weekly sessions lasting 45–60 min, with expected clinical improvement within 4–6 weeks. Pain education strategies were reported infrequently. Considerable variability was observed in the selection and combination of therapeutic techniques. Conclusions: Physiotherapists managing tension-type headache commonly adopt a multimodal approach, largely centered on manual and tissue-focused interventions. Although many reported practices are aligned with current evidence, the substantial heterogeneity observed and the limited integration of biopsychosocial strategies highlight the need for consensus-based guidelines and further research addressing real-world clinical effectiveness.