Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of a theory-based cognitive behavioural skills training eHealth physical activity intervention.. Twenty (n=20) postnatal women were recruited to participate in an 8-week pilot study. All participants met once a week for a 45-minute bootcamp-style group exercise class (n=10 per class) taught by a certified instructor. The cognitive behavioural skills training aspect of the intervention was delivered to all participants through a purpose-built website, www.movemoremommy.com. Participants were asked to log into the website each week to view a short video, make action plans and track their physical activity. Furthermore, participants had access to a discussion board and were prompted to post a message each week. Intervention feasibility was assessed using an-11 item feedback questionnaire as well as monitoring website use (e.g, action planning calendar, self-monitoring calendar and the discussion board). A self-report measure of physical activity was collected at baseline and post intervention (week 8). Overall, intervention feedback was extremely positive, (M=1.35, SD=36, Range = -2 to 2). On average, participants used the online action planning calendar 78% of time and the self-monitoring calendar 69% of the time. Over the 8-week intervention, the average number of discussion board posts was 6.5. Total MVPA significantly increased by 76.89 minutes per week (SD=120.1) from baseline to post intervention, t=-2.63, p=.018. These results indicate that delivering a theory-based intervention via website is a feasible and effective method of increasing physical activity in the postnatal population.
