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Brain Sciences
Volume 15
Issue 5
10.3390/brainsci15050510
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Superficial Neuromodulation in Dysautonomia in Women with Post-COVID-19 Condition: A Pilot Study

by
Alberto Melián-Ortíz
1,
Eduardo Zurdo-Sayalero
1,
Sara Perpiñá-Martínez
1,
Antonio Delgado-Lacosta
1,
Carmen Jiménez-Antona
2,3,
Josué Fernández-Carnero
2,3,* and
Sofía Laguarta-Val
2,3
1
Faculty of Nuring and Physiotherapy Salus Infirmorum, Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca, 28015 Madrid, Spain
2
Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28922 Alcorcón, Spain
3
Cognitive Neuroscience, Pain and Rehabilitation Research Group (NEDECOR), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (URJC), 28933 Madrid, Spain
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Brain Sci. 2025, 15(5), 510; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15050510 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 20 March 2025 / Revised: 9 May 2025 / Accepted: 15 May 2025 / Published: 16 May 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neuromodulation for Pain Management: Evidence of Safety and Efficacy)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Post-COVID-19 condition involves persistent symptoms after acute infection, often linked to dysautonomia, which affects heart rate variability, pain perception, fatigue, and sleep. Superficial neuromodulation has been proposed as a treatment. Objective: To assess the effects of superficial neuromodulation on symptoms, sleep quality, and autonomic function in post-COVID-19 condition patients. Methods: A pilot study was conducted based on a triple-blind randomized controlled trial methodology involving 16 female participants. The experimental group received neuromodulation, while the control group used a placebo device. The intervention spanned 15 sessions over two months. Primary outcomes included heart rate variability, pain threshold, cortisol levels, fatigue, sleep quality, and quality of life, analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA. Results: Both groups improved over time. Heart rate variability (SDNN) increased in the experimental group (30.42 to 39.11 ms) but decreased in controls (31.88 to 28.73 ms) (p < 0.05). Pain threshold at C5–C6 improved in the experimental group (2.1 to 3.5 kg/cm2) but remained stable in controls (p = 0.032). Fatigue decreased significantly in both groups (p = 0.002). Sleep quality improved, with Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores decreasing similarly in both groups. Cortisol levels increased, with a non-significant trend favoring controls. Conclusions: While improvements were seen, both groups benefited, suggesting a possible placebo effect. Superficial neuromodulation appears safe, but further studies with larger samples are needed to confirm efficacy.
Keywords: post-COVID-19 condition; dysautonomia; nervous system; heart rate variability; superficial neuromodulation post-COVID-19 condition; dysautonomia; nervous system; heart rate variability; superficial neuromodulation

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MDPI and ACS Style

Melián-Ortíz, A.; Zurdo-Sayalero, E.; Perpiñá-Martínez, S.; Delgado-Lacosta, A.; Jiménez-Antona, C.; Fernández-Carnero, J.; Laguarta-Val, S. Superficial Neuromodulation in Dysautonomia in Women with Post-COVID-19 Condition: A Pilot Study. Brain Sci. 2025, 15, 510. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15050510

AMA Style

Melián-Ortíz A, Zurdo-Sayalero E, Perpiñá-Martínez S, Delgado-Lacosta A, Jiménez-Antona C, Fernández-Carnero J, Laguarta-Val S. Superficial Neuromodulation in Dysautonomia in Women with Post-COVID-19 Condition: A Pilot Study. Brain Sciences. 2025; 15(5):510. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15050510

Chicago/Turabian Style

Melián-Ortíz, Alberto, Eduardo Zurdo-Sayalero, Sara Perpiñá-Martínez, Antonio Delgado-Lacosta, Carmen Jiménez-Antona, Josué Fernández-Carnero, and Sofía Laguarta-Val. 2025. "Superficial Neuromodulation in Dysautonomia in Women with Post-COVID-19 Condition: A Pilot Study" Brain Sciences 15, no. 5: 510. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15050510

APA Style

Melián-Ortíz, A., Zurdo-Sayalero, E., Perpiñá-Martínez, S., Delgado-Lacosta, A., Jiménez-Antona, C., Fernández-Carnero, J., & Laguarta-Val, S. (2025). Superficial Neuromodulation in Dysautonomia in Women with Post-COVID-19 Condition: A Pilot Study. Brain Sciences, 15(5), 510. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15050510

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