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MobileMums: A Randomized Controlled Trial of an SMS-Based Physical Activity Intervention

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Annals of Behavioral Medicine

Abstract

Background

Postnatal women (<12 months postpartum) are at increased risk of physical inactivity.

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of a theory-based physical activity (PA) intervention delivered to postnatal women primarily via mobile telephone short message service (SMS).

Methods

Eighty-eight women were randomized to the intervention (n = 45) or minimal contact control (n = 43) condition. The 12-week intervention consisted of a face-to-face PA goal-setting consultation, a goal-setting magnet, three to five personally tailored SMS/week and a nominated support person who received two SMS per week. SMS content targeted constructs of social cognitive theory. Frequency (days/week) and duration (min/week) of PA participation and walking for exercise were assessed via self-report at baseline, 6 and 13 weeks.

Results

Intervention participants increased PA frequency by 1.82 days/week (SE ± 0.18) by 13 weeks (F (2,85) = 4.46, p = 0.038) and walking for exercise frequency by 1.08 days/week (SE ± 0.24) by 13 weeks (F (2,85) = 5.38, p = 0.02). Positive trends were observed for duration (min/week) of PA and walking for exercise.

Conclusions

Intervention exposure resulted in increased frequency of PA and walking for exercise in postnatal women.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by Queensland Health. Dr. Fjeldsoe was supported by an Australian Postgraduate Award. Dr. Miller was supported by a University of Queensland Post-doctoral Fellowship. Dr. Marshall was supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council Career Development Award #553000. Denise Koh managed the database from which participants were recruited. The authors would like to sincerely thank all of the women involved in this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Population/School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

    Brianna S. Fjeldsoe Ph.D.

  2. School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

    Yvette D. Miller Ph.D.

  3. Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation/School of Public Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia

    Alison L. Marshall Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Brianna S. Fjeldsoe Ph.D.
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  2. Yvette D. Miller Ph.D.
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  3. Alison L. Marshall Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Brianna S. Fjeldsoe Ph.D..

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Fjeldsoe, B.S., Miller, Y.D. & Marshall, A.L. MobileMums: A Randomized Controlled Trial of an SMS-Based Physical Activity Intervention. ann. behav. med. 39, 101–111 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-010-9170-z

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