Evaluating wearable-supported exercise interventions for reducing postpartum weight: a randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION

The use of wearable devices such as the Actigraphy Watch to enhance physical activity uptake in early postpartum care is less known.

METHODS

The Integrated Physical Activity Tracking and Exercise in Postpartum Women (ITRACK) randomised controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of a wearable-supported physical activity intervention. Women were randomized 1:1 between 4–8 weeks postpartum to receive either a wrist-worn actigraphy watch (intervention) or standard care (control). All participants received routine postpartum care at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, along with physical activity counselling and motivational text messages. The primary outcome, change in body weight, was analyzed using a linear mixed model for repeated measures. Secondary outcomes included BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, body composition, lipid profile, glucose homeostasis markers, and blood pressure.

RESULTS

Among 49 participants (control: n=24; intervention: n=25), at 12–16 weeks postpartum, the intervention group lost an average of 0.58 kg, while the control group gained 0.45 kg. This resulted in a significant between-group difference of –1.03 kg (95% CI: –1.83 to –0.23; p = 0.01). Similarly, BMI decreased by 0.24 kg/m² in the intervention group and increased by 0.83 kg/m² in the control group, with a between-group difference of –1.07 kg/m² (95% CI: –2.08 to –0.06; p = 0.04). No significant differences were observed for other outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Physical activity counselling, weekly motivational messages coupled with the use of a wrist-worn ActiGraphy watch early postpartum can reduce body weight and BMI. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Retrospectively registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (National Clinical Trial [NCT]: NCT07153081); Date of registration: 26/08/2025.