# Feasibility and Acceptability of a Physical Activity Intervention to Reduce Prenatal Cannabis Use: Results of an Open Pilot Trial > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/physical-activity-intervention-prenatal-cannabis-use/ > **Published:** 2026-04-27T07:01:54-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T16:02:21-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Explore the physical activity intervention prenatal cannabis study assessing feasibility and acceptability to reduce cannabis use during pregnancy. --- CED Clinical Relevance  #86High Clinical Relevance  Strong evidence or policy relevance with direct clinical implications. 🔬 Evidence Watch  |  CED Clinic Journal Frontiers in psychiatry Study Type Pilot Study Population Human participants Why This Matters This item covers developments relevant to [cannabis medicine](https://cedclinic.com/essential-oils-industrial-hemp-antimicrobial-benefits/) and [clinical practice](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-reproductive-health-women-clinical-evidence/). Clinicians monitoring evidence in this area should review the source material. Clinical Summary Cannabis is commonly used among reproductive-aged individuals, and prenatal [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/) (PCU) has increased dramatically in recent years, despite guidance warning of possible adverse outcomes. Physical activity interventions have been shown to reduce [substance use](https://cedclinic.com/stroke-risk-assessment-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](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/), 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 Dr. Caplan’s Take “This is a development worth tracking. The clinical implications will become clearer as more evidence accumulates.” Clinical Perspective 🧠 Clinicians should review this item in the context of their current practice and patient population. 💬 Join the Conversation Have a question about how this applies to your situation? [Ask Dr. Caplan →](https://benjamincaplan.com/ask-dr-caplan) Want to discuss this topic with other patients and caregivers? 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Share it: [X Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Just%20read%20this%20on%20CEDclinic.com%3A%20Feasibility%20and%20acceptability%20of%20a%20physical%20activity%20intervention%20to%20reduce%20prenatal%20cannabis%20use%3A%20r...%20%40drcaplan&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Ffeasibility-and-acceptability-of-a-physical-activity-intervention-to-reduce%2F)[in Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Ffeasibility-and-acceptability-of-a-physical-activity-intervention-to-reduce%2F)[🦅 Share on BlueSky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Just%20read%20this%3A%20Feasibility%20and%20acceptability%20of%20a%20physical%20activity%20intervention%20to%20reduce%20prenatal%20cannabis%20use%3A%20r...%20via%20%40drcaplan.bsky.social%20https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Ffeasibility-and-acceptability-of-a-physical-activity-intervention-to-reduce%2F)[📷 Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/drbenjamincaplan)[📝 Read more on Substack](https://doctorapprovedcannabis.substack.com/)[🔔 Subscribe via RSS](https://cedclinic.com/feed/) 📰 Source: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41696467/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41696467/) Table of Contents - [FAQ](#FAQ)[What did the prenatal walking program involve?](#What_did_the_prenatal_walking_program_involve) - [Who took part in this prenatal cannabis pilot trial?](#Who_took_part_in_this_prenatal_cannabis_pilot_trial) - [Why would exercise be used to help reduce cannabis use in pregnancy?](#Why_would_exercise_be_used_to_help_reduce_cannabis_use_in_pregnancy) - [Did participants stick with the walking program?](#Did_participants_stick_with_the_walking_program) - [Were there any safety problems with walking during pregnancy in this trial?](#Were_there_any_safety_problems_with_walking_during_pregnancy_in_this_trial) - [Besides cannabis use, what else did the researchers measure?](#Besides_cannabis_use_what_else_did_the_researchers_measure) - [Related](#Related) ## 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](https://cedclinic.com/stroke-risk-assessment-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. [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) Physician-Led, Whole-Person Care A doctor who takes the time to truly understand you. Personal care that starts with listening and is guided by experience and ingenuity. Health, Longevity, Wellness One-on-One Cannabis Guidance Metabolic Balance [Leave a Message](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) [Metabolic Care](https://cedclinic.com/metabolic/metabolic-how-it-works/) [Medical Consulting](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [Cannabis Care](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) RELATED READING AT CED CLINIC Continue exploring the evidence [[Academic] Seeking Participants for Study on Cannabis + Sexual Health (18+, female, cannabis user)](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-sexual-health-study-female-participants/) Join a study exploring cannabis use and [sexual health](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-use-sexual-behavior-study/) in adult female cannabis users. Contribute to advancing research in this important area. [Learn More](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-sexual-health-study-female-participants/) [What Cannabis Does to Your Brain in the First 24 Hours – Verywell Health](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-brain-effects-evidence-first-24-hours/) Understand the immediate effects of cannabis on brain function within the first day of use. Essential reading for clinicians and patients. [Read Article](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-brain-effects-evidence-first-24-hours/) [You have heard that cannabis helps with nausea and anxiety during cancer treatment … – Instagram](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-nausea-anxiety-cancer-treatment-insights/) Explore patient experiences and clinical insights on cannabis use for managing nausea and anxiety during cancer treatment. [Explore Insights](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-nausea-anxiety-cancer-treatment-insights/) ### Related --- ### Verification & Medical Governance - **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD - **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), Founder & CMO CED Clinic & CED Foundation, Author of *The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook* (Penguin Random House). - **Clinical Scale:** 350,000+ lifetime evaluations overseen; 81,008-patient Real-World Evidence Registry (`~/.ced_rwe_vault.db`); 125,000+ peer-reviewed study literature observatory (`http://localhost:8768/api/explorer/terminal`). - **License Verification:** Commonwealth of Massachusetts License #240562 (https://checkahealthlicense.mass.gov/). - **NPI Registry:** 1962722637 (https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1962722637). - **Ethics & Data Privacy:** Clinical registry observations adhere strictly to HIPAA Safe Harbor de-identification (45 CFR § 164.514(b)) and criteria for secondary research exemption under 45 CFR § 46.104(d)(4).