Current Organizations / Institutes

The organizations/institutes from the scholar's latest article

Previous Organizations / Institutes

The organizations / institutes from the scholar's other articles in the past ten years


Esther Martínez-Miguel has a total of 53 co-authors. Here are the top co-authors by number of shared publications:


Latest Publications

  • Open Access

    The Integration of Music Therapy in the Intensive Care Unit: Health Care Professionals' Experience of an Emerging Paradigm

    by Verónica Saldaña‐Ortiz, María Caballero‐Galilea, Vanesa Intriago‐García Consuegra, José Miguel Mansilla‐Domínguez, Beatriz García‐Fernández, Esther Martínez‐Miguel

    Objective: To explore how intensive care unit healthcare professionals experienced and interpreted music therapy delivered to critically ill patients, including its perceived relevance to patient experience, care interactions, the ICU environment and their own professional experience during care. Design: A qualitative study with a hermeneutic phenomenological approach. Methods: A qualified music therapist delivered live, individualised music therapy sessions to critically ill patients alongside ongoing ICU care, including selected procedures when clinically appropriate. Fourteen healthcare professionals who had each been present during one patient‐directed session participated in an individual semi‐structured interview 24–48 h later. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Four themes were developed: (1) Comfort and patient engagement; (2) Support during invasive procedures; (3) Humanisation, relationships and the ICU environment; and (4) Perceived contextual influences on healthcare professionals' experience. Participants perceived music therapy primarily in relation to patient comfort, engagement and support during selected procedures and potentially distressing care activities. They also associated its presence with more humanised relationships and a calmer ICU environment. Although the sessions were directed towards patients, some participants described positive contextual influences on their immediate experience while observing or providing care. Conclusions: Healthcare professionals perceived patient‐directed music therapy as a potentially valuable complementary intervention alongside ongoing ICU care. Within their accounts, its presence was associated with patient comfort and engagement, support during selected procedures and potentially distressing care activities, more humanised and relational care and a calmer care environment. Some participants also described perceived positive contextual influences on their immediate experience while observing or providing care. Implications for Nursing Practice: These findings provide considerations for nursing practice when patient‐directed music therapy is being considered in ICU care. Nurses may contribute to assessing the patient's clinical condition, willingness and capacity to participate, identifying or communicating musical preferences, coordinating the timing of sessions with the multidisciplinary team and facilitating referral to a qualified music therapist. Careful planning is required to ensure that sessions do not interfere with clinical monitoring, necessary procedures or patient safety. Reporting Method: The study was reported in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) to enhance transparency and methodological rigour in qualitative studies involving interviews. Patient or Public Contribution: No patient or public contribution.

  • Open Access

    Educational interventions for teaching social competencies in nursing students: A systematic review

    by Jaime Jurado Manso, Eva García Carpintero, Luis A. Ochoa de Ocariz Benegas, Esther Martínez Miguel, Sara Uceda Gutiérrez, Guillermo Moreno

  • Open Access

    Bifidobacterium infantis and Bifidobacterium breve Improve Symptomatology and Neuronal Damage in Neurodegenerative Disease: A Systematic Review

    by Manuel Reiriz, Ana Isabel Beltrán-Velasco, Víctor Echeverry-Alzate, Esther Martínez-Miguel, Silvia Gómez-Senent, Sara Uceda, Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez

    Background/Objectives: This systematic review focused on collecting the most significant findings on the impact of the administration of Bifidobacterium infantis (or Bifidobacterium longum subps. infantis) and Bifidobacterium breve, alone, in conjunction, or in combination with other strains, in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). These diseases are characterized by the progressive degeneration of neurons, resulting in a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations. AD is typified by a progressive decline in cognitive abilities, while PD is marked by motor symptoms associated with the loss of dopamine (DA). Methods: Five different databases, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Wiley, PubMed, and Web of Science (WoS), were reviewed and the studies were screened for inclusion by the following criteria: (i) studies that specifically evaluated the use of Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis, or Bifidobacterium breve as a therapeutic intervention, either in human or animal models, in the context of neurodegenerative diseases; (ii) the studies were required to address one or more of the pathologies examined in this article, and the pathologies included, but were not limited to, neurodegeneration, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and oxidative stress; (iii) the full text was accessible online; and (iv) the article was written in English. Results: The data suggest that these probiotics have neuroprotective effects that may delay disease progression. Conclusions: This study provides updated insights into the use of these Bifidobacterium strains in neurodegenerative diseases like AD and PD, with the main limitation being the limited number of clinical trials available.


  • Open Access

    Understanding Family Experiences: A Study on Mental Health Literacy in Adolescent Eating Disorder Diagnoses

    by Eva García Carpintero-Blas, Esperanza Vélez-Vélez, Esther Martínez-Miguel, Alberto Tovar-Reinoso, Pablo Del Pozo-Herce, Carlos González-Navajas, Cristina Gómez-Moreno

    Background: Adolescent eating disorders pose a significant public health challenge and strongly affect both physical and emotional well-being. Early diagnosis is important for improving treatment outcomes, though it remains complex due to multiple influencing factors. The family perspective is essential in this process, as it provides valuable insights into changes in adolescents’ habits and emotional health. Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted between January and February 2023. Interviews were conducted with 12 participants using a phenomenological approach to explore the experiences and perspectives of family members of adolescents with eating disorders. Results: Four thematic blocks comprising several categories were identified: (T1) diagnosis, (T2) family, (T3) resources, and (T4) treatment. The participants emphasized the need for early intervention and a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of eating disorders. Family therapy was recognized as vital to treatment, and common dissatisfaction with the public health structure underscores the need for greater investment in research and access to specialists. Mental health nurse practitioners play an important role in providing comprehensive care and support, as well as mental health literacy. Conclusions: A holistic, patient-centered approach, including family involvement and appropriate support systems, is key to improving the outcomes and quality of life of adolescents undergoing treatment for eating disorders. Improving healthcare resources and addressing the challenges faced by families is essential. In addition, mental health literacy is critical, as it enables families to understand the disease better, make informed decisions, and actively participate in the recovery process, thus contributing to improved therapeutic outcomes and quality of life for patients.


  • Open Access

    A Qualitative Study on Understanding Family Experiences: Mental Health Literacy in Adolescent Eating Disorder Diagnoses

    by Eva García Carpintero-Blas, Esperanza Vélez-Vélez, Esther Martínez-Miguel, Alberto Tovar-Reinoso, Pablo DelPozo-Herce, Carlos González-Navajas, Cristina Gómez-Moreno

    Adolescent eating disorders pose a significant public health challenge, deeply affecting both physical and emotional well-being. Early diagnosis is important for improving treatment outcomes, though it remains complex due to multiple influencing factors. The family perspective is essential in this process, as it provides valuable insights into changes in adolescents’ habits and emotional health. Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted in Madrid, Spain, between January and February 2023, using a phenomenological approach to explore the experiences and perspectives of family members of adolescents with eating disorders. Results: Four thematic blocks with their categories were identified: (T1) Diagnosis, (T2) Family (T3) Resources, and (T4) Treatment. Participants emphasized the need for early intervention and a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of eating disorders. Family therapy was recognized as vital in treatment, and common dissatisfaction in the public health structure underscored the need for greater investment in research and access to specialists. Mental health nurse practitioners have an important role in providing comprehensive care and support as well as mental health literacy. Conclusions: A holistic patient-centered approach, including family involvement and appropriate support systems, is key to improving outcomes and quality of life of adolescents undergoing treatment for eating disorders. Improving healthcare resources and addressing the challenges faced by families is essential. In addition, mental health literacy is critical, as it enables families to understand the disease better, make informed decisions, and actively participate in the recovery process, contributing to improved therapeutic outcomes and quality of life for patients.

  • Intensive care unit patients' experiences of receiving music therapy sessions during invasive procedures: A qualitative phenomenological study

    by Verónica Saldaña-Ortiz, Esther Martínez-Miguel, Carlos Navarro-García, Isabel Font-Jimenez, José Miguel Mansilla-Domínguez


  • Open Access

    Bifidobacterium infantis and Bifidobacterium breve Improve Symptomatology and Neuronal Damage in Neurodegenerative Disease. A Systematic Review.

    by Manuel Reiriz, Ana Isabel Beltrán-Velasco, Víctor Echeverry-Alzate, Esther Martínez-Miguel, Silvia Gómez-Senent, Sara Uceda, Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez

    : This Systematic Review focused on the use of Bifidobacterium infantis and Bifidobacterium breve in neurodegenerative diseases. The study of metabolomics has demonstrated the relationship between dysbiosis and neuronal death. The modulation of the gut microbiota in the intervention of these pathologies has become a promising area of study, showing beneficial results such as the improvement of synaptic function, the reduction of neuroinflammation, as well as the improvement of associated neuropsychiatric symptoms. Several studies have addressed the administration of Bifidobacterium infantis and Bifidobacterium breve, alone, in conjunction or in combination with other strains, in the intervention of neurodegenerative diseases. This Systematic Review includes the results of 17 research articles (n=5 in humans and n=12 in animal models) and the main result was that the use of these Bifidobacterium strains, alone, in conjunction or in combination with other strains, produced improvements in neurodegenerative disease-related symptomatology and degenerative cellular processes. However, some studies shown neutral results in certain variables. These data suggest that the use of these probiotics has a neuroprotective effect that may delay the progression of the disease. This research provides relevant and updated information on the use of these Bifidobacterium strains in neurodegenerative pathologies such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

  • Open Access

    Gut Microbial Metabolome and Dysbiosis in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Psychobiotics and Fecal Microbiota Transplantation as a Therapeutic Approach—A Comprehensive Narrative Review

    by Sara Uceda, Víctor Echeverry-Alzate, Manuel Reiriz-Rojas, Esther Martínez-Miguel, Ana Pérez-Curiel, Silvia Gómez-Senent, Ana Isabel Beltrán-Velasco

    The comprehensive narrative review conducted in this study delves into the mechanisms of communication and action at the molecular level in the human organism. The review addresses the complex mechanism involved in the microbiota–gut–brain axis as well as the implications of alterations in the microbial composition of patients with neurodegenerative diseases. The pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases with neuronal loss or death is analyzed, as well as the mechanisms of action of the main metabolites involved in the bidirectional communication through the microbiota–gut–brain axis. In addition, interventions targeting gut microbiota restructuring through fecal microbiota transplantation and the use of psychobiotics—pre- and pro-biotics—are evaluated as an opportunity to reduce the symptomatology associated with neurodegeneration in these pathologies. This review provides valuable information and facilitates a better understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms to be addressed in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.


  • SALVADOR: HOW NETFLIX AND INSTAGRAM CAN INCREASE STUDENT MOTIVATION FOR AN ACTIVE LEARNING METHODOLOGY

    by Carlos Ramirez, Raquel Frías, Esther Martinez-Miguel

    Information about the paper titled "SALVADOR: HOW NETFLIX AND INSTAGRAM CAN INCREASE STUDENT MOTIVATION FOR AN ACTIVE LEARNING METHODOLOGY" at IATED Digital Library

  • Open Access

    Design and Validation of a Questionnaire on Risk Perception, Coping Behaviors and Preventive Knowledge against COVID-19 among Nursing Students

    by José Rafael González-López, Diego Serrano-Gómez, Verónica Velasco-González, Ana Rosa Alconero-Camarero, Daniel Cuesta-Lozano, Esther García-García, Pilar González-Sanz, Iván Herrera-Peco, Esther Martínez-Miguel, José María Morán-García, et al.

    As shown in the previous literature, in view of the future responsibilities of nursing professionals and the consequences for healthcare, it is of great interest to examine their risk perceptions, coping behaviors, and sense of coherency during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study is to design and to validate a specific questionnaire that evaluates the factors relating to perceived risk, coping behaviors, and preventive knowledge against COVID-19 infection among nursing students from Spain. This is a psychometric study of a questionnaire’s design and its validation in 1562 nursing students at 16 undergraduate nursing institutions in Spain. An ad-hoc survey was designed by a panel of six experts drawing from the literature. After a trial test, the questionnaire was formed with four scales (perception, risk, coping, and knowledge of preventive practices for COVID-19), with a total of 69 items. The final questionnaire was composed of 52 items grouped into four scales, with good psychometric properties to measure risk perception (Cronbach’s alpha 0.735), factors related to perceived risk (Cronbach’s alpha 0.653), coping behaviors (Cronbach’s alpha 0.80), and knowledge of preventive practices against COVID-19 (Cronbach’s alpha 0.77). This questionnaire, specifically designed and validated for nursing students, is the first to address four important areas in the development of preventive measures against COVID-19.