EFFICACY OF CLINIC- AND MOBILE PHONE-BASED WALK-TALK INTERVENTION ON PHYSICAL ACTIVITY OUTCOMES IN PREGNANT WOMEN

O. Akinwande1,2, O. Adegbesan2, C. Sanuade3, E. Oguntimehin4, O. Sonuga4, C. Mbada4, J. Babalola2
1University College Hospital, Physiotherapy Department, Ibadan, Nigeria, 2University of Ibadan, Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, Ibadan, Nigeria, 3University of Ibadan, Department of Physiotherapy, Ibadan, Nigeria, 4Obafemi Awolowo University, Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Background: Pregnancy is a time in women’s lives, associated with considerable physiological and psychological changes, which may promote sedentary behaviours and low levels of Physical Activity (PA). This apathy for PA in pregnancy despite its potentials to limit adverse maternal and foetal morbidities and its long-term benefit necessitates innovative approaches that may alter behavioural change that improves compliance to physical activity intervention, thereby promoting physical activity in pregnancy.

Purpose: This study assessed the efficacy of structured 12-week clinic- and mobile phone-based six-minute walk-talk PA intervention on PA outcomes among pregnant women.

Methods: This study was randomized controlled trial. 95 consenting pregnant women assigned into either Clinic-Based Six-Minute Walk-Talk PA (CBSMWTPA) intervention group or Mobile Phone-Based Six-Minute Walk-Talk PA (MPBSMWTPA) or Control group. Assessment based on PA objectively using pedometer counted number of steps per day, walk distance and caloric expenditure, and subjectively using pregnancy physical activity questionnaire at 6th ,12th week respectively. Data was summarized using descriptive statistics of frequency, mean standard deviation, inferential statistics of one-way ANOVA and repeated measures ANOVA were used to compare the different groups. Alpha level set at p<0.05.

Results: At the 6th week, there were significant differences in number of steps (CBSMWTPA, MBPSMWTPA and control groups: 9291.3±2567.2, 9722.9±2747.0 and 8347.0±1049.3 respectively; p=0.001), walking distance (MBPSMWTPA and control groups: 5.25±1.80 and 4.33±1.46 respectively; p=0.010), and calories (CBSMWTPA and MBPSMWTPA groups: 336.3±139.206 and 356.7±27.4 respectively; p=0.001). Similarly, significant differences were observed in PPAQ (CBSMWTPA and MBPSMWTPA groups: 2446.3±2597.3 and 2358.2±2590.5; p= 0.030), step count (10108.3±3253.9, 7623.6±3459.4 and 5256.3±1705.4; p=0.001), walk distance (control only: 3.88±1.57; p=0.016), at week 12.

Conclusion(s): CBSMWTPA and MBPSMWTPA have considerable effects on PA outcomes of pregnant women. However, CBSMWTPA led to superior outcomes. Hence, use of mobile phone- based walk-talk interventions is effective in improving PA in pregnancy.

Implications: Considering the ongoing transition into telemedicine, this study validates the effectiveness of mobile apps for the promotion of physical activity in pregnancy, which will help to improve compliance of PA intervention among pregnant women.

Funding, acknowledgements: self funded

Keywords: Physical activity, Pregnancy, telemedicine

Topic: Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing/physical activity

Did this work require ethics approval? Yes
Institution: Institute For Advanced Medical Research And Training, Ibadan, Nigeria
Committee: University of Ibadan/University College Hospital
Ethics number: UI/EC/18/0130


All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.

Back to the listing