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CompletedNCT06019715Updated May 10, 2024

Remote Postpartum Intervention Targeting Movement Behaviors After Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy

An interventional study of Postpartum Remote Physical Activity Intervention in Hypertensive Disorder of Pregnancy, sponsored by Jackie Dziewior. Completed at 1 site in United States. Open to female participants aged 18 Years to 45 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2024-05-10.

Sponsored by Jackie Dziewior · Not applicable, Interventional, and Prevention

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
20
Allocation
Not applicable
Ages
18 Years to 45 Years
Sex
Female
01

Study summary

The purpose of this study is to test the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a postpartum physical activity intervention after a pregnancy complicated by a Hypertensive Disorder of Pregnancy. The study will also assess the effects of the remote postpartum intervention on blood pressure. To do this, we will recruit individuals that are 3-6 months postpartum a pregnancy complicated by a hypertensive disorder to participate in a 4-month health coaching intervention aimed to promote physical activity and was informed by formative work done previously.

Read the detailed description

I.a Clinical and Public Health Significance. CVD is the leading cause of death among women in America; one in four of these deaths are preventable.3 HDP, including gestational and chronic hypertension, preeclampsia, and superimposed preeclampsia, are risk factors for CVD.3 HDP are associated with maternal and offspring morbidity and mortality, negatively impacting cardiovascular, immune, and neurological systems.21 With 10% of all pregnancies affected by HDP, targeting this population is critical to improving maternal/neonatal morbidity and mortality and overall cardiovascular health in America.1,2 The proposed study answers the AHA's call in their 2022 scientific statement for studies demonstrating efficacy of lifestyle interventions addressing hypertension during the postpartum period among those with HDP.22

I.b Cardiovascular changes during pregnancy act as a natural stress test and may uncover an individual's potential risk of future CVD.23 Specifically, individuals with HDP are at an immediately increased risk for HTN after delivery.1 Long-term cardiometabolic health is also implicated by HDP, with increased risk of future CVD, morbidity, and mortality compared to normotensive pregnancies.24 Odds of developing HTN at one year postpartum is 12 to 25 times greater in HDP pregnancies compared to normotensive pregnancies.25 The 5-year likelihood of developing HTN for pregnancies complicated by HDP is 7.1 times greater than normotensive pregnancies.1 Even in those not diagnosed with HTN, the BP is on average greater in HDP women than in normotensive pregnancies.26

I.c Follow-up care for HDP in the postpartum period is inadequate. Although it is understood that HDP place an individual at increased risk for future CVD, only 58% of women with HDP had a 7-10 day postpartum BP check and 48% for a 6-month postpartum visit.4,25 In addition, only 17% of women with HDP follow-up with their primary care providers, indicating a gap in the transition of care after pregnancy.25 Lack of follow-up has been attributed to fatigue, pain, infant care obligations, time, and low awareness of HDP as a risk factor for future CVD.27,28 Although a few interventions have targeted future CVD risk in this population, few to no studies account for these unique barriers experienced during the postpartum period.14,29

I.d PA and SED have independent effects on CVD risk.8-10 PA and SED are modifiable risk factors for CVD and have the potential to improve BP.30 Current studies suggest that moderate to vigorous PA decreases after pregnancy, and evidence concerning SED is conflicting.31,32 PA, specifically aerobic exercise, has beneficial effects on mean, systolic, and diastolic BP in adults.33,34 This association has been observed in pregnant populations as well, with the greatest improvements seen in inactive individuals.35,36 SED is another modifiable risk factor associated with CVD, independent of PA, with each additional hour of SED increasing the risk for HTN.8 Although the effect on PA and SED in the general population are well understood, the direct effects of PA/SED in the postpartum period on BP after HDP is understudied.37

I.e The perinatal period presents a critical period of change and a promising target for lifestyle intervention to reduce future CVD risk. The association of HDP with future CVD elicited AHA's call to action for more vigorous primary prevention of CVD in the postpartum period.38,39 With increased contact to health care professionals during gestation, pregnancy also offers an opportunity to connect with this population to develop positive health behaviors, which our preliminary data confirms is feasible. Interventions promoting PA and decreased SED in the postpartum period after a HDP is an under explored primary prevention strategy.37

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Conditions studied

  • Hypertensive Disorder of Pregnancy

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In context

Toxemia

933 studies on the registry are indexed under Toxemia; 153 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 20 is below the median of 112 across 438 interventional studies indexed under Toxemia.

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Lead sponsor

This is the only study on the registry with Jackie Dziewior as lead sponsor.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

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Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 45 Years
Sexes eligible
Female
Accepts healthy volunteers
Yes

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  • \<6 months postpartum from a pregnancy complicated by a hypertensive disorder
  • Have self-reported insufficient activity (\<150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week)
  • Own a smartphone

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Current enrollment in another physical activity or sedentary behavior intervention study
  • Recommend to limit physical activity by a healthcare provider
  • Diagnosed with diabetes, kidney disease, cardiovascular disease
  • Prior bariatric surgery
  • Currently takes medication to reduce weight or anti-hypertensives
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Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Prevention
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
20 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Intervention Arm

    This arm will receive the full intervention, including 4 months of health coaching support, 8 virtual health coaching visits, a Fitbit device, and an at home blood pressure monitor.

    Behavioral: Postpartum Remote Physical Activity Intervention

Interventions

  • BehavioralPostpartum Remote Physical Activity Intervention

    Includes 8 remote health coaching session to promote physical activity, use of a Fitbit device, and use of a home based blood pressure monitor.

    Also known as: The HyPE Intervention

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What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in physical activity

    Change in step count from baseline across study timeline

    Time frame: 6 months

  2. Intervention feasibility

    Will be evaluated using Bowen's standards, specifically implementation and practicality. Implementation and practicability will be measured by the number of completed sessions out of the total session possible and by the quality of implementation through participant self-reported satisfaction of the program's session length, frequency, and topics covered.

    Time frame: 6 months

  3. Intervention acceptability

    Will be evaluated using Bowen's standards, specifically acceptability and demand of the intervention. Acceptability and demand will be assessed by participant self-reported satisfaction and likelihood to recommend the program to other of participants. Acceptability, demand, and practicality will be defined by at least 75% of participants responding either satisfied or very satisfied to these questions; implementation by 75% of sessions attended.

    Time frame: 6 months

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in postpartum blood pressure

    Change in postpartum blood pressure from baseline across study timeline

    Time frame: 6 months

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Study locations

1 site
  • University of Iowa
    Iowa City, Iowa 52242, United States
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References and documents

Publications

  • Melchiorre K, Thilaganathan B, Giorgione V, Ridder A, Memmo A, Khalil A. Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy and Future Cardiovascular Health. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2020 Apr 15;7:59. doi: 10.3389/fcvm.2020.00059. eCollection 2020. PubMed 32351977 ↗
  • Diaz KM, Shimbo D. Physical activity and the prevention of hypertension. Curr Hypertens Rep. 2013 Dec;15(6):659-68. doi: 10.1007/s11906-013-0386-8. PubMed 24052212 ↗
  • Evenson KR, Aytur SA, Borodulin K. Physical activity beliefs, barriers, and enablers among postpartum women. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2009 Dec;18(12):1925-34. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2008.1309. PubMed 20044854 ↗
  • Lane-Cordova AD, Jerome GJ, Paluch AE, Bustamante EE, LaMonte MJ, Pate RR, Weaver RG, Webber-Ritchey KJ, Gibbs BB; Committee on Physical Activity of the American Heart Association Council on Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health. Supporting Physical Activity in Patients and Populations During Life Events and Transitions: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2022 Jan 25;145(4):e117-e128. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000001035. Epub 2021 Dec 1. PubMed 34847691 ↗
  • Lui NA, Jeyaram G, Henry A. Postpartum Interventions to Reduce Long-Term Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Women After Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy: A Systematic Review. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2019 Nov 15;6:160. doi: 10.3389/fcvm.2019.00160. eCollection 2019. PubMed 31803757 ↗
  • Whitaker KM, Jones MA, Dziewior J, Anderson M, Anderson C, Gibbs BB, Carr LJ. Feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a single-arm, remotely-delivered health coaching intervention to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior during pregnancy. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2022 Oct 2;22(1):740. doi: 10.1186/s12884-022-05073-4. PubMed 36184599 ↗
  • Whelton SP, Chin A, Xin X, He J. Effect of aerobic exercise on blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials. Ann Intern Med. 2002 Apr 2;136(7):493-503. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-136-7-200204020-00006. PubMed 11926784 ↗
  • Hutchesson M, Campbell L, Leonard A, Vincze L, Shrewsbury V, Collins C, Taylor R. Do modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease post-pregnancy influence the association between hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and cardiovascular health outcomes? A systematic review of observational studies. Pregnancy Hypertens. 2022 Mar;27:138-147. doi: 10.1016/j.preghy.2021.12.017. Epub 2022 Jan 6. PubMed 35066405 ↗
  • Mehta LS, Sharma G, Creanga AA, Hameed AB, Hollier LM, Johnson JC, Leffert L, McCullough LD, Mujahid MS, Watson K, White CJ; American Heart Association Advocacy Coordinating Committee. Call to Action: Maternal Health and Saving Mothers: A Policy Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2021 Oct 12;144(15):e251-e269. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000001000. Epub 2021 Sep 8. PubMed 34493059 ↗

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

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Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on May 10, 2024, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT06019715
Lead sponsor
Jackie Dziewior
Responsible party
Jackie Dziewior (PhD Candidate, University of Iowa) — Sponsor-investigator
First posted
Aug 31, 2023
Start date
Jun 1, 2023
Primary completion
Mar 1, 2024
Completion
May 1, 2024
Last update
May 10, 2024

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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