Efficacy Of A Virtual Health Coaching Intervention To Increase Physical Activity And Reduce Sedentary Time During Pregnancy

Abstract

Pregnancy is a critical life event associated with reductions in physical activity and increases in sedentary time, which may adversely affect maternal-fetal health. There is a clear need to develop effective and feasible interventions to promote optimal movement patterns in pregnancy. PURPOSE: To assess the preliminary effects of a single-arm virtual health coaching intervention on physical activity and sedentary time in pregnant women. METHODS: Women (n = 34, mean age 30.9 years ±3.5) between 8-12 weeks gestation were recruited through a university mass email strategy to take part in the INcreasing Steps in PREgnancy (INSPiRE) study, a 14-week virtual health coaching program. At baseline and follow-up, a thigh-worn activPAL3 micro accelerometer measured physical activity (steps/day, stepping min/day, standing min/day) and sedentary time (sedentary min/day, total and in bouts of 30 and 60 min); valid data was defined as ≥4 days with ≥10 hours of wear time. Participants were given an activity tracker (Fitbit Inspire) and met virtually with their health coach weekly (first 4 weeks) and then bi-weekly (next 10 weeks). Content delivered in coaching sessions was guided by the Self-Determination Theory and incorporated motivational interviewing strategies. Paired t-tests assessed changes in physical activity and sedentary time. RESULTS: As seen in the Table, women increased their daily steps (+1,715.8 steps/day), stepping time (+19.0 min/day), and standing time (+25.0 min/day), all p < 0.02. Although not statistically significant, women had potentially clinically meaningful decreases in total sedentary time (-19.3 min/day) and time spent in sedentary bouts of at least 30 (-25.6 min/day) and 60 minutes (-28.5 min/day), all p > 0.10. CONCLUSIONS: The INSPiRE intervention appears to be effective for increasing physical activity and should be tested in a fully powered randomized controlled trial to determine effects on sedentary behavior.