First effective mHealth nutrition and lifestyle coaching program for subfertile couples undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment: a single-blinded multicenter randomized controlled trial

Elsje C Oostingh, Maria P H Koster, Matthijs R van Dijk, Sten P Willemsen, Frank J M Broekmans, Annemieke Hoek, Marriëte Goddijn, Nicole F Klijn, Evert J P van Santbrink, Eric A P Steegers, Joop S E Laven, Régine P M Steegers-Theunissen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To study compliance and effectiveness of the mHealth nutrition and lifestyle coaching program Smarter Pregnancy in couples undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment with or without intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

DESIGN: Multicenter, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial, conducted from July 2014 to March 2017.

SETTING: IVF clinics.

PATIENT(S): A total of 626 women undergoing IVF treatment with or without ICSI and 222 male partners.

INTERVENTIONS(S): Couples were randomly assigned to the light (control group) or regular (intervention group) Smarter Pregnancy program. Both groups filled out a baseline screening questionnaire on nutrition and lifestyle behaviors, and the intervention group received coaching tailored to inadequate behaviors during the 24-week period.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Difference in improvement of a composite dietary and lifestyle risk score for the intake of vegetables, fruits, folic acid supplements, smoking, and alcohol use after 24 weeks of the program.

RESULT(S): Compared with control subjects, women and men in the intervention group showed a significantly larger improvement of inadequate nutrition behaviors after 24 weeks of coaching. At the same time, the women also showed a significantly larger improvement of inadequate lifestyle behaviors.

CONCLUSION(S): The mHealth coaching program Smarter Pregnancy is effective and improves the most important nutritional and lifestyle behaviors among couples undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment. International multicenter randomized trials are recommended to study the effect of using Smarter Pregnancy on pregnancy, live birth, and neonatal outcome.

NETHERLANDS TRIAL REGISTER NUMBER: NTR4150.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)945-954
Number of pages10
JournalFertility and Sterility
Volume114
Issue number5
Early online date30 Jul 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2020

Keywords

  • artificial reproductive techniques
  • preconception
  • pregnancy
  • risk reduction
  • Telemedicine

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