Trial reportInternational breastfeeding journal2022
Feasibility and effectiveness of WhatsApp online group on breastfeeding by peer counsellors: a single-blinded, open-label pilot randomized controlled study.
Trial report in International breastfeeding journal, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT04826796 (Feasibility and Effectiveness of WhatsApp Online Group on Breastfeeding by Peer Counsellors.), which is not on this map. Cited by 15 papers, 7 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Feasibility and Effectiveness of WhatsApp Online Group on Breastfeeding by Peer Counsellors.
Who cites it
15 citing papers in PubMed, 7 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Effects of Digital Health Interventions on Breastfeeding Rates, Self-Efficacy, and Knowledge: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Journal of medical Internet research · 2026Pooled it
- The Effectiveness of Parent-Targeted Digital Health Interventions on Breastfeeding Practices: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Journal of medical Internet research · 2026Pooled it
- The Impact of Peer Support Through Mobile Health Applications on Breastfeeding Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Maternal & child nutrition · 2026Pooled it
- Pooled it
- The effectiveness of real-time telelactation intervention on breastfeeding outcomes among employed mothers: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2025Pooled it
- Effect of online intervention mode on breastfeeding results: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Reproductive health · 2023Pooled it
- The Effects of Interventions During Pregnancy to Improve Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Journal of midwifery & women's healthPooled it
- The effect of individualized breastfeeding support on exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months, occurrence of breast problems and breastfeeding self-efficacy: randomized controlled study.BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2026Trial
- Associations between maternal perceptions of infant growth and feeding and infant growth outcomes in community health clinics: a prospective multicentre longitudinal study.Journal of health, population, and nutrition · 2026Article
- Using Group Chats to Drive Behavior Change in Digital Health Interventions: Scoping Review and Realist Synthesis.Journal of medical Internet research · 2026Article
- Knowledge, attitude, and practice of breastfeeding among mothers experiencing maternal-infant separation: a cross-sectional study.Frontiers in public health · 2026Article
- Knowledge, attitude, and practice toward delayed onset of lactogenesis among postpartum women experiencing mother-infant separation: a multi-center cross-sectional study.International breastfeeding journal · 2025Article
- Preliminary Effectiveness of a Postnatal mHealth and Virtual Social Support Intervention on Newborn and Infant Health and Feeding Practices in Punjab, India: Quasi-Experimental Pre-Post Pilot Study.JMIR pediatrics and parenting · 2025Article
- Article
- Investigating the Acceptability and Feasibility of Three Online Interventions for Caregivers of Infants with Feeding Difficulties.Inquiry : a journal of medical care organization, provision and financingArticle
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introductionWith mobile technologies becoming more advanced and accessible, mobile health (mHealth) has been incorporated in delivering timely and convenient breastfeeding support. However, its feasibility and potential efficacy remain to be examined. Therefore, the primary objective of this study is to assess the feasibility and acceptability of an online instant messaging peer support group for breastfeeding. The secondary objective is to evaluate the effect of the intervention on breastfeeding outcomes.
methodsA pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted. A total of 33 primiparous women were recruited in the antenatal clinic at a public hospital in Hong Kong between March and April 2021. They were randomized to receive either standard care (n = 18) or standard care and receive peer-group support in an online instant messaging app (n = 15). Participants received telephone follow-up for up to six months postpartum or until they stopped breastfeeding. After completing the study, six participants in the intervention group were interviewed to understand their perceptions of the intervention.
resultsThis pilot study shows that online messaging peer support group is feasible and acceptable to women. In total, 54.4% of the eligible women agreed to participate, and 97.0% completed the follow-up. Participants perceived that providing peer support through instant messaging app is appropriate. It serves as a channel for the participants to ask questions and obtain information. Furthermore, meetings of the peer supporters and group members can be held to enhance the effectiveness of the intervention. In addition, no significant differences were found in any and exclusive breastfeeding rates, breastfeeding attitude, and breastfeeding self-efficacy between the two groups.
conclusionsThis study shows that online messaging peer support group is feasible and acceptable. A full-scale study should be conducted to understand the effect of the online instant messaging peer support group on breastfeeding outcomes.
trial registrationThe study protocol is registered on Clinicaltrial.gov (NCT04826796) on 1 April 2021.
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.