This single-arm pilot study will evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a remotely delivered behavioral lifestyle intervention, adapted from the SmartMoms framework, to promote health gestational weight gain in pregnant women with overweight and obesity. Twelve to sixteen participants will receive weekly virtual motivational interview sessions with trained health coaches, review their daily weight data, step count, and continuous glucose monitoring data, and tailored guidance on physical activity and nutrition. Educational content will be delivered electronically, with peer support provided through a closed online group. A simulated (mock) control arm will be created post hoc from existing records for preliminary comparisons; all enrolled participants will receive the intervention.
The purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility of delivering a remotely administered behavioral lifestyle intervention for pregnant women with overweight and obesity, adapted from the established SmartMoms framework, using a simulated (mock) control arm for comparison. This pilot study will enroll approximately 12-16 participants and will focus on evaluating feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary signals of impact to inform a future randomized controlled trial. The intervention is tailored to the needs of women in Arkansas and aims to promote healthy gestational weight gain through motivational interviewing, physical activity promotion, education on dietary recommendations and self-monitoring. Participants will be encouraged to meet current pregnancy exercise guidelines (\>= 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity on most, if not all days) and to follow a balanced diet consistent with caloric intake recommendations for appropriate gestational weight gain based on individual pre-pregnancy BMI. Each participant will be provided with an internet connected bodyweight scal, and pedometer for daily self-monitoring. These devices will automatically transmit weight and step data to the study team. Participants will also wear a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) throughout their pregnancy to track temporal glucose patterns, which will be reviewed with the study's registered dietitian (RD) and health coaches. Intervention delivery will include weekly virtual motivational interview sessions with a trained health coach. Sessions will review weight gain trajectory, dietary intake, physical activity patterns, and CGM data, and will provide tailored behavioral strategies for meeting gestational weight gain goals. Educational materials will be delivered electronically to participants' smartphones. A closed online forum will be available for peer support, following the SmartMoms framework. The simulated control arm will be generated post hoc by matching trial participants to publicly available datasets based on gestational age, BMI category, and other relevant covariates. This mock control will serve only as a comparator for preliminary analyses; all enrolled participants will receive the active intervention. The intervention will begin between 16-20 weeks' gestation and continue until delivery (20-24 weeks per participant). All motivational interviewing sessions will be delivered remotely, and participants will be trained individually on safe and effective use of study tools.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
16
The intervention we are basing our adaptations on is a ecological momentary intervention, meaning it is integrated into participants daily lifestyle and schedule. Using an established framework for tracking daily body weight and physical activity, a gestational weight gain trajectory is estimated. Based on the data, recommendation prompts for exercise and diet will be discussed with participants during motivational interviewing. For the CGM piece, participants will wear unblinded CGM devices and have access to CGM linked app features that allow insights and reactivity to personal glycemic data
Feasibility data of the modified EMI: AR-GEM Study - Recruitment and Retention
Maternal recruitment and retention rates (total number of participants recruited and retained)
Time frame: continuous, from study enrollment at 16-20 weeks until study completion, an average of 6 months
Feasibility data of the modified EMI: SmartMomsAR - Acceptability
Acceptability scores from online intervention satisfaction questionnaires, 5 point Likert Scale system
Time frame: continuous, from study enrollment at 16-20 weeks until study completion, an average of 6 months
Feasibility data of the modified EMI: SmartMomsAR - Protocol Adherence
Adherence to study protocol via process measures. (Percentage of complete data points)
Time frame: continuous, from study enrollment at 16-20 weeks until study completion, an average of 6 months
Incidence of appropriate gestational weight gain per 2009 NASM guidelines.
Frequencies (percentage) of appropriate gestational weight gain incidence. Maternal weight (lbs) over time.
Time frame: data is derived through study completion, an average of 6 months.
Change in healthful lifestyle behaviors - HEI
Change scores for healthy eating index (HEI)
Time frame: data is derived through study completion, an average of 6 months.
Change in healthful lifestyle behaviors - Steps (Physical Activity)
Change scores for physical activity counts (steps) as assessed commercial accelerometer.
Time frame: data is derived through study completion, an average of 6 months.
Change in healthful lifestyle behaviors - Glycemic profile
Summary of glycemic profile data (mg/dL) as assessed by CGM.
Time frame: data is derived through study completion, an average of 6 months.
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.