Safety and efficacy of a video-based physical education program during pregnancy: A pilot study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53646/4phejp74Keywords:
exercise, pregnancy, prenatal, digital health, physical therapyAbstract
BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to report on the safety and efficacy of once-per-week instructional exercises videos during pregnancy in a pilot study.
METHODS: Pregnant women in their second trimester under the care of obstetricians in an academic hospital were enrolled in the exercise group. Participants in the exercise arm received an instructional video and explanation on each physical exercise beginning at 12 weeks gestation, once a week for the following 12 weeks. Each video focused on a clinically recommended exercise to aid musculoskeletal health. Participants were surveyed regarding physical activity, mental health, and general well-being using the PROMIS-10 and Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire [PPAQ] at 0-, 6-, and 12-week time points. A control group of patients was surveyed for comparison at the 6- and 12-week time points. Differences of means between exercise and control groups, and multivariate regressions of the PROMIS-10 and PPAQ outcomes on treatment status, controlling for BMI at 8 weeks gestation and age, were performed to assess the relationship between physical activity education and well-being and exercise indices.
RESULTS: 22 pregnant women were enrolled in the exercise arm and 34 were enrolled in the control groups. Of the 22 women that began the exercise program, 72.7% (16) completed 6 weeks and 45.5% (10) completed all 12 weeks. No adverse events were noted. No significant differences were established between the exercise and control groups for either the PROMIS-10 or PPAQ measures in this pilot study. Compliance was greater for a shorter duration and among women ≥35 years.
CONCLUSION: We found that a weekly instructional exercise videos during pregnancy could be safely administered, with low to moderate compliance amongst participants. This pilot study suggests the potential of pursuing exercise education interventions with a greater number of participants to better understand the role of exercise education during pregnancy.
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