title: Dose and timing of text messages for increasing physical activity among pregnant women: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: Text4baby (T4b), a free nation-wide mobile health information service, delivers health-related text messages (SMS) to pregnant women. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of physical activity (PA) specific SMS to improve PA in pregnant women (vs standard T4b) and the most effective dose/timing of PA-specific SMS to improve PA. Pregnant women (N = 80) were randomized to one of four groups that differed in frequency and time of SMS. The Fitbit™ Flex measured PA. Data were analyzed using mixed model analyses. There were no increases in PA regardless of frequency or time. Those that received six PA SMS/week had greater decreases in activity and greater increases in sedentary time. SMS may not be a "potent" enough strategy to improve PA. Future studies should explore a modified focus on behavior change (e.g., decrease sedentary activity, increase light activity) and incorporate SMS as part of a multi-level approach with other evidence-based strategies.
authors: Exercise Science and Health Promotion, Arizona State University, 500 North 3rd Street, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA. jhuberty@asu.edu.
authors: Jennifer L
authors: JL
authors: Huberty
authors: Exercise Science and Health Promotion, Arizona State University, 500 North 3rd Street, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA.
authors: Matthew P
authors: MP
authors: Buman
authors: Department of Community and Behavioral Health Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors: Jenn A
authors: JA
authors: Leiferman
authors: ZERO TO THREE Text 4 baby, Washington, DC, USA.
authors: Jessica
authors: J
authors: Bushar
authors: Nutrition and Health Promotion, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
authors: Eric B
authors: EB
authors: Hekler
authors: Exercise Science and Health Promotion, Arizona State University, 500 North 3rd Street, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA.
authors: Marc A
authors: MA
authors: Adams
mesh_terms: D056044:Actigraphy; D000328:Adult; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008427:Maternal Health Services; D037841:Pregnant People; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000379:methods; D060145:Text Messaging; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States
keywords: Mobile health; Physical activity; Pregnancy; Women