Author:
Vogel Lea,Färber Tanja,Hölzl Ingrid,Deliens Tom,Henning Carmen,Liel Christoph,Löchner Johanna,Lux Ulrike,Opitz Ansgar,Seiferth Caroline,Versele Vicka,Wolstein Jörg,van Poppel Mireille N. M.
Abstract
Abstract
Background
The transition to parenthood represents a critical life period with psychosocial, and behavioral changes and challenges for parents. This often increases stress and leads to unhealthy weight gain in families, especially in psychosocially burdened families. Although universal and selective prevention programs are offered to families, specific support often fails to reach psychosocially burdened families. Digital technologies are a chance to overcome this problem by enabling a low-threshold access for parents in need. However, there is currently a lack of smartphone-based interventions that are tailored to the needs of psychosocially burdened families.
Aims
The research project I-PREGNO aims to develop and evaluate a self-guided, smartphone-based intervention in combination with face-to-face counseling delivered by healthcare professionals for the prevention of unhealthy weight gain and psychosocial problems. The intervention is specifically tailored to the needs of psychosocially burdened families during the pregnancy and postpartum period.
Methods
In two cluster randomized controlled trials in Germany and Austria (N = 400) psychosocially burdened families will be recruited and randomized to i) treatment as usual (TAU), or ii) I-PREGNO intervention (self-guided I-PREGNO app with counseling sessions) and TAU. We expect higher acceptance and better outcomes on parental weight gain and psychosocial stress in the intervention group.
Discussion
The intervention offers a low cost and low-threshold intervention and considers the life situation of psychosocially burdened families who are a neglected group in traditional prevention programs. After positive evaluation, the intervention may easily be implemented in existing perinatal care structures in European countries such as Germany and Austria.
Trial registration
Both trials were registered prospectively at the German Clinical Trials Register (Germany: DRKS00029673; Austria: DRKS00029934) in July and August 2022.
Funder
German Federal Ministry of Education and Research
Austrian Research Promotion Agency
The Research Foundation Flanders
Deutsches Jugendinstitut e.V.
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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