Natalia Brandín-de la Cruz

Dr. Natalia Brandín-de la Cruz


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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14 January 2022 in Healthcare
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
DFDaniel Fernández
Daniel Fernández
NCNatalia Brandín-de la Cruz
Natalia Brandín-de la Cruz
CJCarolina Jiménez-Sánchez
Carolina Jiménez-Sánchez
MGMarina Gil-Calvo
Marina Gil-Calvo
Pablo HerreroPablo Herrero
Pablo Herrero
SCSandra Calvo
Sandra Calvo
Introduction: Dry needling is a non-pharmacological approach that has proven to be effective in different neurological conditions. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a single dry needling session in patients with chronic stroke. Methods: A cost-effectiveness analysis was performed based on a randomized controlled clinical trial. The results obtained from the values of the EuroQol-5D questionnaire and the Modified Modified Ashworth Scale were processed in order to obtain the percentage of treatment responders and the quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) for each alternative. The cost analysis was that of the hospital, clinic, or health center, including the equipment and physiotherapist. The cost per respondent and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of each alternative were assessed. Results: Twenty-three patients with stroke were selected. The cost of DN treatment was EUR 14.96, and the data analysis showed a favorable cost-effectiveness ratio of both EUR/QALY and EUR/responder for IG, although the sensitivity analysis using limit values did not confirm the dominance (higher effectiveness with less cost) of the dry needling over the sham dry needling. Conclusions: Dry needling is an affordable alternative with good results in the cost-effectiveness analysis—both immediately, and after two weeks of treatment—compared to sham dry needling in persons with chronic stroke.

20 March 2025 in Reports
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
BCBeatriz Carpallo
Beatriz Carpallo
EBEsther Del corral beamonte
Esther Del corral beamonte
CJCarolina Jiménez-Sánchez
Carolina Jiménez-Sánchez
PAPaula Cordova Alegre
Paula Cordova Alegre
NCNatalia Brandín-de la Cruz
Natalia Brandín-de la Cruz
SCSandra Calvo
Sandra Calvo
Background: Post COVID-19 Condition is a recently recognized syndrome characterized by the persistence of various symptoms, including dyspnea, physical and mental fatigue, and post-exertional malaise. Currently, there is no established treatment or clear consensus on the effectiveness of rehabilitation, and given that patients could benefit from home-based rehabilitation, telerehabilitation, defined as remote rehabilitation using telematic systems, may be an option to reach more of the population with persistent COVID-19 symptoms. Therefore, it is necessary to show the efficacy of this telematic approach and the benefits of a multimodal rehabilitation strategy in these patients. Methods: Patients underwent home rehabilitation using a 12-week synchronous telerehabilitation system. The intervention included therapeutic education and physical and respiratory rehabilitation. The following variables were analyzed: Fatigue, quality of life, dyspnea, respiratory strength, aerobic capacity, and upper and lower limb strength. Conclusions: After 12 weeks, significant improvements were found in fatigue, aerobic capacity, and limb and respiratory strength. However, no improvement was found in dyspnea scores, which did not correlate with respiratory strength. Interestingly, a post-intervention correlation emerged between the distance covered in aerobic capacity and perceived fatigue, suggesting that asynchronous telerehabilitation could be a viable treatment strategy for these patients.

30 April 2025 in Reports
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
JBJose Manuel BURGOS-BRAGADO
Jose Manuel BURGOS-BRAGADO
NCNatalia Brandín-de la Cruz
Natalia Brandín-de la Cruz
BCBeatriz Carpallo
Beatriz Carpallo
JBJuan Luis Blas-Laina
Juan Luis Blas-Laina
SCSandra Calvo
Sandra Calvo
CJCarolina Jiménez-Sánchez
Carolina Jiménez-Sánchez
Background and Clinical Significance: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a global health challenge with significant postoperative complications and functional declines. Telerehabilitation offers an accessible alternative to improve preoperative physical condition and postoperative recovery. Case Presentation: Five CRC patients scheduled for laparoscopic surgery participated in an asynchronous telerehabilitation multimodal program, including two weeks of prehabilitation and four weeks of postoperative rehabilitation. Delivered via a digital platform with remote physiotherapist support, the intervention improved functional capacity and muscle strength preoperatively, with partial recovery noted post-surgery. Conclusions: Integrating telerehabilitation into the CRC surgical pathway is feasible and may enhance functional outcomes and quality of life. Further studies are required to confirm these preliminary findings.

15 August 2025 in Cureus
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
LMLorena Morcillo-Martínez
Lorena Morcillo-Martínez
NCNatalia Brandín-de la Cruz
Natalia Brandín-de la Cruz
CJCarolina Jiménez-Sánchez
Carolina Jiménez-Sánchez
AGAitor Garay-Sánchez
Aitor Garay-Sánchez
LELaura Isabel Esteban-Repiso
Laura Isabel Esteban-Repiso
SCSandra Calvo
Sandra Calvo
Five people with Parkinson's disease (PD) participated in an immersive virtual reality (IVR) program focused on improving their ability to balance. Over a four-week period, they participated in eight IVR sessions, two per week. Standing balance, functional mobility, gait speed, lower limb strength, incidence of adverse events, quality of life and participant-reported satisfaction were assessed. By comparing pre- and post-intervention outcomes with recognized thresholds of minimal detectable change, improvements in balance, functional mobility, and quality of life were observed. The results of this small case series of five participants suggest that an IVR program intervention seems to have an effect for improving balance, functional mobility, and quality of life in people with PD, warranting further investigation in larger controlled trials.

4 March 2025 in Preprints.org
Verified
Preprint
Open access
PDF file
BCBeatriz Carpallo
Beatriz Carpallo
EBEsther Del corral beamonte
Esther Del corral beamonte
CJCarolina Jiménez-Sánchez
Carolina Jiménez-Sánchez
PAPaula Cordova Alegre
Paula Cordova Alegre
NCNatalia Brandín-de la Cruz
Natalia Brandín-de la Cruz
SCSandra Calvo
Sandra Calvo
Background and Clinical Significance : Post COVID-19 Condition is a recently recognized syndrome characterized by the persistence of various symptoms, including dyspnea, physical and mental fatigue, and post-exertional malaise. Currently, there is no established treatment or clear consensus on the effectiveness of rehabilitation. In addition, asynchronous telerehabilitation may be an option to reach more of the population with persistent COVID symptoms. Therefore, it is necessary to show the efficacy of this telematic approach and the benefits of a multimodal rehabilitation strategy in these patients. Case Presentation : This study presents a case series of 12 patients (9 women and 3 men) diagnosed with Post COVID-19 Condition and chronic fatigue who underwent rehabilitation through an asynchronous telerehabilitation approach. The 12-week intervention included therapeutic education, physical and respiratory rehabilitation. The most prevalent symptoms were severe fatigue, arthralgias and myalgias, cough and dyspnea and brain fog. The following variables were analyzed: Fatigue, quality of life, dyspnea, respiratory strength, aerobic capacity and upper and lower limb strength. Conclusions: After 12 weeks significant improvements were found in fatigue, aerobic capacity and limb and respiratory strength. However, no improvement was found in dyspnea scores, which did not correlate with respiratory strength. Interestingly, a post-intervention correlation emerged between the distance covered in the aerobic capacity and perceived fatigue, suggesting that asynchronous telerehabilitation could be a viable treatment strategy for these patients.

8 April 2025 in Preprints.org
Verified
Preprint
Open access
PDF file
JBJose Manuel BURGOS-BRAGADO
Jose Manuel BURGOS-BRAGADO
NCNatalia Brandín-de la Cruz
Natalia Brandín-de la Cruz
BCBeatriz Carpallo
Beatriz Carpallo
JBJuan L. Blas-Laina
Juan L. Blas-Laina
SCSandra Calvo
Sandra Calvo
CJCarolina Jiménez-Sánchez
Carolina Jiménez-Sánchez
Background and Clinical Significance: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a global health challenge with significant postoperative complications and functional declines. Telerehabilitation offers an accessible alternative to improve preoperative physical condition and postoperative recovery. Case Presentation: Five CRC patients scheduled for laparoscopic surgery participated in an asynchronous telerehabilitation multimodal program, including two weeks of prehabilitation and four weeks of postoperative rehabilitation. Delivered via a digital platform with remote physiotherapist support, the intervention improved functional capacity and muscle strength preoperatively, with partial recovery noted post-surgery. Conclusions: Integrating telerehabilitation into the CRC surgical pathway is feasible and may enhance functional outcomes and quality of life. Further studies are required to confirm these preliminary findings.