Feasibility and Acceptability of a Physical Activity Intervention to Reduce Prenatal Cannabis Use: Results of an Open Pilot Trial
| Journal | Frontiers in psychiatry |
| Study Type | Pilot Study |
| Population | Human participants |
This item covers developments relevant to cannabis medicine and clinical practice. Clinicians monitoring evidence in this area should review the source material.
Cannabis is commonly used among reproductive-aged individuals, and prenatal cannabis use (PCU) has increased dramatically in recent years, despite guidance warning of possible adverse outcomes. Physical activity interventions have been shown to reduce substance use in other populations. Building on this, we examined the feasibility and acceptability of a 10-week prenatal walking intervention in a small trial with 16 pregnant individuals who were seeking to reduce PCU. Participants wore a Fitbit to track activity and attended 6 sessions designed to promote gradual increases in daily step count. Indicators of feasibility, acceptability and safety were assessed, as were changes in cannabis use, physical activity, depression and anxiety. Results suggest the intervention was feasible and acceptable; most women (88%) completed the intervention, attending on average 5.8 of 6 sessions, with strong compliance to Fitbit wear. No adverse events were reported. Findings provide preliminary evidence
“This is a development worth tracking. The clinical implications will become clearer as more evidence accumulates.”
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FAQ
What did the prenatal walking program involve?
It was a 10-week walking intervention for pregnant individuals. Participants wore a Fitbit to track their activity and attended 6 sessions designed to promote gradual increases in their daily step count. The trial tested whether this approach was feasible and acceptable for people trying to reduce prenatal cannabis use.
Who took part in this prenatal cannabis pilot trial?
The small open pilot trial enrolled 16 pregnant individuals who were seeking to reduce their prenatal cannabis use. It was published in Frontiers in Psychiatry. Its purpose was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a 10-week walking intervention, while also tracking changes in cannabis use, physical activity, depression and anxiety.
Why would exercise be used to help reduce cannabis use in pregnancy?
The researchers built on evidence that physical activity interventions have reduced substance use in other populations. They applied this idea to pregnancy because prenatal cannabis use has increased dramatically in recent years, despite guidance warning of possible adverse outcomes.
Did participants stick with the walking program?
Yes, for the most part. Most participants (88%) completed the intervention, attending an average of 5.8 of the 6 sessions, and compliance with wearing the Fitbit was strong. The researchers reported that these results suggest the intervention was feasible and acceptable.
Were there any safety problems with walking during pregnancy in this trial?
No adverse events were reported in this trial, in which pregnant participants gradually increased their daily step counts over 10 weeks. This safety finding comes from a small open pilot trial of 16 participants, so it reflects a limited group rather than a large study.
Besides cannabis use, what else did the researchers measure?
In addition to feasibility, acceptability and safety, the researchers assessed changes in cannabis use, physical activity, depression and anxiety. This means the trial tracked mood symptoms as well as activity levels and cannabis use in pregnant participants during the 10-week program.
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