Digital Health Interventions to Improve Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Health During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review
Abstract/Description/Artist Statement
Introduction: Digital health technologies are widely used to promote healthy lifestyles among women during pregnancy. Regular physical activity (PA) in pregnant women can reduce the risk of future cardiovascular (CV) disease (~40%). Despite the benefits of regular PA to improve maternal and fetal outcomes, the number of pregnant women engaged in PA is low (23%). This systematic review discusses the effectiveness of digital health interventions (DHI), which target PA, on improving PA levels and CV health in pregnant women. Methods: This systematic review was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Two independent reviewers searched PubMed and Web of Science databases. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, relevant data were extracted from the included studies examining DHI in pregnant women and its effects on PA or CV outcomes. Results: Out of 1415 records, 16 studies were included. Most studies were randomized controlled trials, whereas two were non-randomized (one single arm feasibility study and one cohort study). DHI methods included mobile apps, websites, text messages, virtual monitoring, and live sessions and all incorporated PA as part of the intervention. The intervention period varied from 4 weeks to 6 months, and the participants were pregnant (8-32 weeks of gestation) at enrollment. Five studies reported an increase in PA following the interventions while ten studies reported an improvement in CV health (lipid profile, blood pressure, blood glucose markers, and body composition). Conclusion: DHIs are effective in improving CV health outcomes but may be less effective at increasing PA during pregnancy. Therefore, integrating DHI into prenatal care may be a promising approach to support CV health during pregnancy; however, this may not be due to increased PA levels. The length and delivery methods of the interventions varied widely; thus, a metanalysis was not able to be performed.
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Leryn Reynolds
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Email
lreynold@odu.edu
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department
School of Exercise Science
College/School Affiliation
Ellmer College of Health Sciences
Student Level Group
Graduate/Professional
Presentation Type
Poster
Digital Health Interventions to Improve Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Health During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review
Introduction: Digital health technologies are widely used to promote healthy lifestyles among women during pregnancy. Regular physical activity (PA) in pregnant women can reduce the risk of future cardiovascular (CV) disease (~40%). Despite the benefits of regular PA to improve maternal and fetal outcomes, the number of pregnant women engaged in PA is low (23%). This systematic review discusses the effectiveness of digital health interventions (DHI), which target PA, on improving PA levels and CV health in pregnant women. Methods: This systematic review was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Two independent reviewers searched PubMed and Web of Science databases. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, relevant data were extracted from the included studies examining DHI in pregnant women and its effects on PA or CV outcomes. Results: Out of 1415 records, 16 studies were included. Most studies were randomized controlled trials, whereas two were non-randomized (one single arm feasibility study and one cohort study). DHI methods included mobile apps, websites, text messages, virtual monitoring, and live sessions and all incorporated PA as part of the intervention. The intervention period varied from 4 weeks to 6 months, and the participants were pregnant (8-32 weeks of gestation) at enrollment. Five studies reported an increase in PA following the interventions while ten studies reported an improvement in CV health (lipid profile, blood pressure, blood glucose markers, and body composition). Conclusion: DHIs are effective in improving CV health outcomes but may be less effective at increasing PA during pregnancy. Therefore, integrating DHI into prenatal care may be a promising approach to support CV health during pregnancy; however, this may not be due to increased PA levels. The length and delivery methods of the interventions varied widely; thus, a metanalysis was not able to be performed.