# Feasibility and Acceptability of a Physical Activity Intervention to Reduce Prenatal Cannabis Use > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/prenatal-cannabis-use-intervention-feasibility-acceptability/ > **Published:** 2026-03-26T04:09:19-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T10:38:25-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Explore the feasibility and acceptability of a prenatal cannabis use intervention using physical activity to support reduction during pregnancy. --- CED Clinical Relevance  #86High Clinical Relevance  Strong evidence or policy relevance with direct clinical implications. 🔬 Evidence Watch  |  CED Clinic PrenatalCannabis CessationPhysical ActivityPilot StudyPregnancy Journal Frontiers in psychiatry Study Type Pilot Study Population Human participants Why This Matters This pilot study addresses a growing clinical challenge: prenatal [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/) has increased significantly despite safety concerns, yet evidence-based interventions to support cessation during pregnancy remain limited. The feasibility of a non-pharmacological, behavioral intervention could provide clinicians with a practical tool to help pregnant patients reduce [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/). Clinical Summary This open pilot trial enrolled 16 pregnant individuals seeking to reduce cannabis use in a 10-week walking intervention using Fitbit tracking and 6 behavioral sessions focused on gradual step count increases. The intervention demonstrated high feasibility with 88% completion rates, strong session attendance (5.8 of 6 sessions), and excellent device compliance, with no reported adverse events. While the study was small and lacked a control group, the approach appears safe and acceptable to participants. Dr. Caplan’s Take “This is encouraging preliminary work, but we need controlled trials with cannabis use outcomes before recommending walking programs specifically for prenatal cannabis cessation. The safety profile and participant engagement are promising signals for larger studies.” Clinical Perspective 🧠 Clinicians can consider recommending appropriate physical activity as part of comprehensive prenatal care for patients using cannabis, given the general benefits of exercise during pregnancy. However, structured walking interventions should not yet be positioned as [evidence-based cannabis](https://cedclinic.com/jama-cannabis-review-physician-analysis/) cessation treatment until controlled trials demonstrate efficacy on usage outcomes. 💬 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? [Join the forum discussion →](https://cedclinic.com/interact/discussion-forums/forum/cannabis-industry/) Have thoughts on this? 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%20pren...%20%40drcaplan&url=https%3A//pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41696467/)[in Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A//pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41696467/)[🦥 Share on BlueSky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Just%20read%20this%3A%20Feasibility%20and%20acceptability%20of%20a%20physical%20activity%20intervention%20to%20reduce%20pren...%20--%20via%20%40drcaplan.bsky.social%20https%3A//pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41696467/)[📷 Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/drbenjamincaplan/)[📝 Read more on Substack](https://substack.com/@doctorapproved)[🔔 Subscribe via RSS](https://cedclinic.com/category/cannabis-news/feed/) 📰 Source: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41696467/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41696467/) Table of Contents - [FAQ](#FAQ)[Is physical activity intervention safe for pregnant women who use cannabis?](#Is_physical_activity_intervention_safe_for_pregnant_women_who_use_cannabis) - [How effective is physical activity intervention for reducing prenatal cannabis use?](#How_effective_is_physical_activity_intervention_for_reducing_prenatal_cannabis_use) - [What level of participation can be expected from pregnant cannabis users in activity-based interventions?](#What_level_of_participation_can_be_expected_from_pregnant_cannabis_users_in_activity-based_interventions) - [Can physical activity interventions address mental health symptoms during pregnancy?](#Can_physical_activity_interventions_address_mental_health_symptoms_during_pregnancy) - [How should clinicians approach prenatal cannabis cessation with activity interventions?](#How_should_clinicians_approach_prenatal_cannabis_cessation_with_activity_interventions) - [Related](#Related) ## FAQ #### Is physical activity intervention safe for pregnant women who use cannabis? Yes, the 10-week prenatal walking intervention demonstrated safety with no adverse events reported among the 16 participants. The gradual increase in daily step count approach appears to be well-tolerated during pregnancy. #### How effective is physical activity intervention for reducing prenatal cannabis use? This pilot study provides preliminary evidence that a structured walking intervention may help reduce [prenatal cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/placental-biology-prenatal-thc-exposure-schizophrenia-risk/), though larger controlled trials are needed to establish definitive efficacy. The intervention showed feasibility and acceptability as a potential treatment approach. #### What level of participation can be expected from pregnant cannabis users in activity-based interventions? Participation rates were high, with 88% of participants completing the full 10-week intervention and attending an average of 5.8 out of 6 sessions. Compliance with Fitbit wear was also strong, indicating good acceptability of technology-assisted monitoring. #### Can physical activity interventions address mental health symptoms during pregnancy? The study assessed changes in depression and anxiety alongside cannabis use reduction, suggesting physical activity may provide dual benefits for mental health during pregnancy. However, specific mental health outcomes from this pilot study require validation in larger trials. #### How should clinicians approach prenatal cannabis cessation with activity interventions? Clinicians can consider recommending structured walking programs with gradual step count increases and activity tracking as a safe, acceptable intervention for pregnant patients seeking to reduce cannabis use. The 6-session format with wearable technology support appears practical for clinical implementation. {“@context”: “https://schema.org”, “@type”: “ScholarlyArticle”, “headline”: “Feasibility and acceptability of a physical activity intervention to reduce [prenatal cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/placental-biology-prenatal-thc-exposure-schizophrenia-risk/): results of an open pilot trial.”, “url”: “https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41696467/”, “about”: “frontiers psychiatry pilot study feasibility acceptability”, “isPartOf”: “Frontiers in psychiatry”} [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 [Feasibility and Acceptability Trial to Reduce Tobacco and Cannabis Use During Pregnancy](https://cedclinic.com/feasibility-trial-tobacco-cannabis-pregnancy/) This trial explores combined tobacco and cannabis use reduction strategies during pregnancy, highlighting behavioral intervention feasibility. [Learn More](https://cedclinic.com/feasibility-trial-tobacco-cannabis-pregnancy/) [The Effect of Daily Aerobic Cycling Exercise on Cannabis Withdrawal](https://cedclinic.com/aerobic-exercise-cannabis-withdrawal-symptoms-rct-evidence/) A randomized controlled trial investigating aerobic exercise as a method to alleviate [cannabis withdrawal symptoms](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-use-disorder-risk-clinical-evidence/). [Read Study](https://cedclinic.com/aerobic-exercise-cannabis-withdrawal-symptoms-rct-evidence/) [Perceived Safety of Cannabis Use During Pregnancy and Changes in Perception Over Time](https://cedclinic.com/perceived-cannabis-safety-pregnancy-survey-2017-2021/) A national survey examining how perceptions of [cannabis safety](https://cedclinic.com/respiratory-effects-inhalational-marijuana/) during pregnancy have evolved from 2017 to 2021. [Explore Survey](https://cedclinic.com/perceived-cannabis-safety-pregnancy-survey-2017-2021/) ### Related --- ### Verification & Medical Governance - **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD - **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), Former CMO Canna Care Docs (250,000+ patients supervised), 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).