Text Messaging Program for Pregnancy Health

Overseen By Patti Janssen, PhD

Age: Any Age

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of British Columbia

Disqualifiers: Hypertension, Cardiac disease, Diabetes, others

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

3078 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a text messaging program called SmartMom, designed to help pregnant individuals make healthier choices during pregnancy. The researchers aim to determine if these messages can improve pregnancy knowledge, reduce depression and anxiety, and lead to better health outcomes for both mother and baby. Participants will receive either three weekly text messages promoting healthy habits or general pregnancy information (control text messaging). Eligible participants must be pregnant with one baby, free of certain health conditions, and reside in Canada (excluding British Columbia). As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could enhance pregnancy care for many.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you have health conditions that require individualized care, you may not be eligible to participate.

What prior data suggests that this text messaging program is safe for pregnant individuals?

Research has shown that the SmartMom text messaging program is safe for pregnant people. This program sends scientifically-based information to encourage healthy habits during pregnancy. Previous studies aimed to improve prenatal education without causing harm. No reports of negative effects from receiving these text messages exist. Instead, the program offers useful information to support a healthy pregnancy. Since this trial is at a stage where safety is generally well-established, participants can feel confident about the program's safety. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the SmartMom text messaging program because it offers a proactive and personalized approach to promoting healthy behaviors during pregnancy. Unlike standard prenatal care, which often relies on in-person visits and general advice, SmartMom provides timely, evidence-based information directly to expectant mothers' phones three times a week. This method aims to empower women with the knowledge they need to make healthier choices throughout their pregnancy, potentially improving outcomes for both mother and baby.

What evidence suggests that the SmartMom text messaging program is effective for improving pregnancy health?

This trial will compare the SmartMom text messaging program with a control messaging program. Research has shown that the SmartMom program can enhance health during pregnancy. Participants in the SmartMom messaging arm will receive messages based on proven research to support positive changes during pregnancy. Canadian women contributed to the creation of these messages to ensure they are useful and relevant. Early results suggest that programs like this can increase knowledge about pregnancy and improve mental health and childbirth experiences. Meanwhile, participants in the control messaging arm will receive general information about pregnancy but not about making healthy choices. ^{1 2 3 5 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Patti Janssen, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of British Columbia

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for pregnant individuals in Canada (except British Columbia) who are at or before 15 weeks gestation with a single pregnancy. They must be able to read and understand English at an 8th-grade level and be comfortable completing online surveys.

Inclusion Criteria

Singleton pregnancy

Can read and understand English at grade 8 level and comfortable completing online surveys

Live in Canada (excluding British Columbia where SmartMom has been piloted)

Exclusion Criteria

Previously had a baby with the SmartMom program

I have a pre-existing health condition like hypertension or diabetes.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants receive text messages promoting healthy behaviours during pregnancy

Throughout pregnancy (up to 42 weeks)

Weekly text messages

Control

Participants receive general interest messages on pregnancy-related topics

Throughout pregnancy (up to 42 weeks)

Weekly text messages

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for maternal, fetal, and newborn outcomes post-birth

1 month post birth

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Control text messaging
• SmartMom text messaging

Trial Overview The SmartMom clinical trial tests if receiving text messages designed to promote healthy behaviors during pregnancy can improve knowledge, reduce depression/anxiety/fear of childbirth, encourage positive health habits, and better maternal/fetal/newborn outcomes compared to general interest texts.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Intervention: SmartMom messaging Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants receive three text messages per week with evidence-based information to promote healthy behaviours during pregnancy.

Group II: Control messaging Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Participants receive one text message per week with general information about pregnancy but not about making healthy choices.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of British Columbia

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,506

Recruited

2,528,000+

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

Collaborator

Trials

1,417

Recruited

26,550,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A cluster randomized trial involving 13,937 pregnant women in Hunan, China, tested a maternal education program delivered via text messaging, but the results showed no statistically significant differences in maternal and perinatal mortality rates between the intervention and control groups.

While the intervention arm had slightly lower rates of maternal (0.04% vs. 0.09%) and perinatal deaths (1.24% vs. 1.45%), the study suggests that larger trials with more intensive implementation are needed to confirm any potential benefits of SMS-based maternal education.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Impact of a Maternal Education Program Through Text Messaging in Rural China: Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial. Xie, RH., Tan, H., Taljaard, M., et al.[2020]

The Text4baby program significantly improved pregnant women's beliefs about the importance of taking prenatal vitamins and visiting healthcare providers, with odds ratios indicating a strong positive effect on these attitudes.

Despite the positive changes in beliefs, the study did not find any significant behavioral changes among participants, suggesting that while Text4baby influences health attitudes, further research is needed to assess its impact on actual health behaviors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Initial outcomes from a 4-week follow-up study of the Text4baby program in the military women's population: randomized controlled trial. Evans, WD., Wallace Bihm, J., Szekely, D., et al.[2022]

In a study involving 83 overweight/obese pregnant women, sending educational SMS about nutrition and physical activity did not significantly reduce excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) compared to a control group receiving general health messages.

Both groups had similar rates of exceeding the Institute of Medicine guidelines for GWG, suggesting that the timing and duration of the intervention may need to be adjusted for more effective outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of a Short Message Service Intervention on Excessive Gestational Weight Gain in a Low-Income Population: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Holmes, H., Palacios, C., Wu, Y., et al.[2023]

The SmartMom program, a prenatal education initiative delivered via text messaging, was found to be highly acceptable and relevant among 40 Canadian women, reflecting their preferences for receiving pregnancy-related information.

Participants suggested enhancements to the program, such as personalized message streams for specific needs, indicating a strong interest in tailored health information that could promote positive health behaviors during pregnancy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

SmartMom Text Messaging for Prenatal Education: A Qualitative Focus Group Study to Explore Canadian Women's Perceptions. Munro, S., Hui, A., Salmons, V., et al.[2019]

The SmartMom SMS text messaging program is an effective prenatal education tool that provides reliable and tailored information, meeting the needs of pregnant individuals better than traditional apps, as reported by participants in focus groups.

Participants emphasized the importance of inclusive and comprehensive prenatal education, highlighting that current programs often fail to address the needs of diverse populations, such as Indigenous and LGBTQIA2S+ communities.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Expectant Parents' Preferences for Teaching by Texting: Development and Usability Study of SmartMom. Murray, JB., Sharp, A., Munro, S., et al.[2023]

A review of 48 studies, including 30 randomized controlled trials, found that text messaging can effectively promote various maternal and infant health behaviors, such as smoking cessation and vaccine uptake.

Interventions that are based on established behavior change theories and use motivational language tend to be more successful, highlighting the importance of thoughtful design in text messaging health interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Use of text messaging for maternal and infant health: a systematic review of the literature. Poorman, E., Gazmararian, J., Parker, RM., et al.[2022]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5320393/

SmartMom Text Messaging for Prenatal Education We engaged Canadian women in the development of a prenatal education program delivered via one-way text messaging called SmartMom.

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05793944

SmartMom: Teaching by Texting to Promote Health ... The goal of this randomized clinical trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of SmartMom, a text messaging-based mobile health program for prenatal education ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10155084/

Development and Usability Study of SmartMom - PMC These studies indicate that SMS text messaging programs for pregnant people can improve perinatal health outcomes. The majority of prenatal ...

4. bmjopen.bmj.com bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/1/e081730

a protocol for a randomised controlled trial of SmartMom The overall goal of SmartMom is to motivate adoption of positive prenatal health behaviours in order to improve pregnancy and newborn health outcomes. The use ...

5. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-pregnant-state-5-2023-92a60

Text Messaging Program for Pregnancy Health The goal of this randomized clinical trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of SmartMom, a text messaging-based mobile health program for prenatal education ...

6. study.smartmomcanada.ca study.smartmomcanada.ca/

SmartMom Study We are conducting this study to learn if SmartMom improves health in pregnancy and childbirth. The SmartMom study is open to pregnant people across Canada.