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An mHealth Intervention for Sedentary Behavior in Pregnant Women

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Pregnancy Related
Sedentary Behavior
Interventions
Behavioral: NEAT!2 sedentary behavior app
Other: Pregnancy smartphone app
Registration Number
NCT04903574
Lead Sponsor
University of South Carolina
Brief Summary

Pregnancy outcomes, such as excessive gestational weight gain and gestational diabetes, are linked to long and short-term maternal and child health. Interventions aimed at improving health behaviors, such as sedentary behavior (SB; i.e., any behavior in a seated or reclining position with low energy expenditure) are attractive because they are low-cost, can be disseminated in a wide variety of populations once pregnancy begins, and do not require drugs or prescriptions. Studies have linked SB to some pregnancy outcomes. To the investigators' knowledge, no studies have tested the efficacy of an intervention to reduce SB in pregnant women.

Over 90% of reproductive aged women own a smartphone with similar rates of ownership among black, white, and Hispanic/Latina women, and most adults carry smartphones while awake. Smartphones can monitor SB without additional equipment. Thus, smartphones offer a streamlined opportunity to intervene on SB. The purpose of the research is to evaluate the effectiveness and perception of an mHealth intervention aimed at changing SB in pregnant women. Investigators will survey providers regarding their SB opinions and counseling practices

Detailed Description

Investigators will recruit 28 pregnant women, 14 per arm, to participate in this pilot randomized, controlled study. Particiants will complete an in-person baseline study visit in early pregnancy (\< week 16). The visit will occur in the Public Health Research Center, Discovery Building, or at a Prisma Health facility. Measurements at the in-person visit (\~ 1 hr) include demographics, surveys regarding current and pre-pregnancy PA and SB, medical and pregnancy history, height, and weight. All participants will be given an activPAL(TM) (Glasgow, UK) at V1 to objectively measure SB for 1 week using gold-standard methodology. At the end of the 1-week run-in period (i.e., the week during which SB is objectively measured prior to randomization), participants will mail back the activPAL(TM) and be randomized to the mHealth SB intervention or control group for 12 weeks. SB will be objectively measured again using the activPAL(TM) from week 11-12 of the study. Surveys (Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy, Global Health Scales, inquiry about new diagnoses) will be administered remotely in week 5 and week 11. A recruitment opinion survey will be administered remotely in week 5 to inform future recruitment efforts. Surveys related to the intervention platform and perceived effectiveness will be administered remotely at week 12 to participants in the experimental group. Investigators will ask about new diagnoses or adverse events at week 5 and week 11. Investigators will link to participants' medical charts and abstract in-clinic body weight, the results of the third trimester glucose tolerance test, and any other pregnancy-related diagnoses. Investigators will survey Ob/Gyn clinicians (doctors, residents, and nurses) regarding their perceptions of SB during pregnancy.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
6
Inclusion Criteria
  • currently <16 weeks pregnant with a single infant
  • at least 18 years old
  • normal weight, overweight, or obese body mass index prior to pregnancy
  • can read English at a 6th grade level
  • planning to continue pregnancy to term
  • owns smartphone and keeps it within arms reach during the day
  • willing to allow medical chart access for specific information during the current pregnancy
  • no absolute contraindications to exercise, i.e., a doctor has not told you not to exercise during pregnancy
Exclusion Criteria
  • pre-pregnancy BMI <18.5 kg/m2
  • age <18 years
  • gestational age >16 weeks
  • multiple gestation
  • not planning to continue pregnancy to term
  • does not own a smartphone or keep smartphone within arms-reach during the day
  • pre-pregnancy type I or II diabetes
  • absolute contraindication to PA in pregnancy
  • not receiving prenatal care or not willing to allow access to medical chart
  • inability to read English at a 6th grade level.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Sedentary behavior smartphone appNEAT!2 sedentary behavior appThis arm will be assigned to download and use a smartphone app that prompts you to stand up when your smartphone detects 30 minutes of sitting.
Pregnancy smartphone appPregnancy smartphone appThis arm will download and use a commercially available pregnancy smartphone app that does not attempt to change activity behavior.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Time spent in sedentary behaviorWeek 11-12 of the intervention

Total minutes/day in sedentary behavior

Glucose tolerance test resultsAt clinic 1 ay visit glucose test

The blood glucose level at the third trimester glucose tolerance test

Weight gainAt delivery

Pregnancy weight gain

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Pregnant patients' opinions of the NEAT!2 appWeek 12

Survey regarding feelings about the app for those assigned to the experimental group

Pregnant patients' opinions of sedentary behaviorBaseline (before randomization)

Survey regarding feelings about sedentary behavior during pregnancy

Providers' opinions and practices regarding sedentary behavioruntil study is completed; about 1 year

MD/DO, RN, NP opinions and counseling practices related to sedentary behavior in pregnant patients

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of South Carolina

🇺🇸

Columbia, South Carolina, United States

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