Nuria Izquierdo Mendez

Prof. Dr. Nuria Izquierdo Mendez


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

6Years (2021-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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NRNatalia Ruiz-Segovia
Natalia Ruiz-Segovia
Maria Rodríguez-MuñozMaria Rodríguez-Muñoz
Maria Rodríguez-Muñoz
MCMaría Eugenia Olivares Crespo
María Eugenia Olivares Crespo
NMNuria Izquierdo Mendez
Nuria Izquierdo Mendez
PCPluvio J. Coronado
Pluvio J. Coronado
HLHuynh-Nhu Le
Huynh-Nhu Le
Depression is the most common psychological disorder during the perinatal period, and its negative effects extend to mothers, babies, their family and society. Scientific evidence points to the urgency of designing preventive interventions and concludes that the gestational period is the most appropriate time to implement these interventions. However, many pregnant women do not seek professional help due to a lack of knowledge about the importance of mental health, its impact, and the available intervention options, as well as a lack of time and financial resources. E-health interventions can be an efficient, cost-effective, and accessible resource for preventing postpartum depression that can circumvent the barriers that pregnant women face. This randomized clinical trial will examine the efficacy of Healthy Moms and Babies, an app aimed at preventing postpartum depressive symptomatology. The second objective of this study is to analyze the effectiveness of the tool in preventing anxious symptomatology. The primary outcome measure is the difference in the mean score between the intervention and control groups on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) at the end of the intervention and at 3 and 6 months postpartum. The secondary outcome will be determined by using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screener (GAD-7) at the same time points. The research findings can be used to determine pregnant women’s use of the e-health application for the prevention of postpartum depression, whether the Healthy Moms and Babies intervention app is an effective and useful resource, and what modifications will need to be made to the tool in future updates.

23 February 2025 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
BNBeatriz Navarro-Brazález
Beatriz Navarro-Brazález
LLLaura Lorenzo-Gallego
Laura Lorenzo-Gallego
PMPaula Rangel de la Mata
Paula Rangel de la Mata
María Torres-LacombaMaría Torres-Lacomba
María Torres-Lacomba
FPfernando vergara pérez
fernando vergara pérez
NMNuria Izquierdo Mendez
Nuria Izquierdo Mendez
Background/Objectives: Approximately 30% of women experience pelvic pain one year after vaginal delivery, and this increases to 50% during vaginal intercourse. Multimodal physiotherapy is the first-line treatment for myofascial pain of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM), often incorporating emerging technologies like radiofrequency, despite limited evidence supporting its use. The RASDOP study aims to (i) evaluate the effectiveness of multimodal physiotherapy combining therapeutic education, PFM training, and myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) management with or without radiofrequency, in reducing pain and improving sexual function postpartum; and (ii) explore the barriers and facilitators influencing adherence and perceived self-efficacy towards physiotherapy treatment in women with postpartum pelvic pain. Methods: This study employs a randomized clinical trial with a blinded examiner and two parallel groups, followed by a qualitative phenomenological study. A total of 124 postpartum women with pelvic pain (≥4 cm on the visual analogue scale) will be randomized into two groups: a multimodal physiotherapy group (therapeutic education, MPS treatment, and PFM training) and a radiofrequency + multimodal physiotherapy group (same treatment with additional non-ablative radiofrequency). Both groups will receive 12 supervised individual sessions. Assessments will be conducted pre- and post-intervention, and at 3-, 6-, and 12-month stages post-treatment. Primary outcomes include pain intensity and sexual function, while secondary outcomes involve PFM tone, strength, MPS presence, levator ani length, and distress caused by pelvic floor dysfunction. The qualitative study will utilize semi-structured interviews and focus groups analyzed thematically. Results: Radiofrequency is expected to enhance pain relief, sexual function, and PFM relaxation. Insights into adherence and barriers will aid in personalizing physiotherapy interventions. Conclusions: The RASDOP study will provide evidence on the safety and efficacy of radiofrequency in postpartum pelvic pain treatment and shed light on women’s experiences to improve therapeutic outcomes.