Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40348982›Full record

ArticleBMC pregnancy and childbirth2025

Exploring user profiles and preferences for mobile apps promoting active lifestyles during pregnancy and postpartum: cross-sectional study.

Laura Alves, Cátia Ferreira, Cristiana Mercê, Rita Santos-Rocha

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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.

2 · The registry

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.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Laura AlvesSantarém Polytechnic University - Sport Sciences School of Rio Maior (ESDRM), Av. Dr. Mário Soares, 110, Rio Maior, 2040-413, Portugal.
Cátia FerreiraSantarém Polytechnic University - Sport Sciences School of Rio Maior (ESDRM), Av. Dr. Mário Soares, 110, Rio Maior, 2040-413, Portugal.
Cristiana MercêSantarém Polytechnic University - Sport Sciences School of Rio Maior (ESDRM), Av. Dr. Mário Soares, 110, Rio Maior, 2040-413, Portugal. cristianamerce@esdrm.ipsantarem.pt.
Rita Santos-RochaSantarém Polytechnic University - Sport Sciences School of Rio Maior (ESDRM), Av. Dr. Mário Soares, 110, Rio Maior, 2040-413, Portugal.

Funding

Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia 2023.14896.PEX
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe proliferation of mobile health applications (apps) presents promising opportunities for promoting maternal-fetal health outcomes. While numerous pregnancy-related apps exist, their alignment with user needs and evidence-based recommendations remains understudied. This study aimed to analyze the usage profile, characteristics, and preferences regarding mobile apps for promoting a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy and postpartum, with particular emphasis on physical activity.

methodsA cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted using a questionnaire titled "Active Pregnancy App- Promoting an active and healthy lifestyle during pregnancy and postpartum," consisting of 36 questions in digital format via the Google Forms platform. The participants included 235 pregnant or postpartum women, with a mean age of 36 ± 4.67 years, with babies born between 2021 and 2023.

resultsAmong the women surveyed, 80% engaged in physical activity during pregnancy (39% 1-2 times/week), and 63% in the postpartum period. Walking was the predominant activity (90% of health/wellness activities). Most participants (87%) had never used pregnancy-specific fitness apps, despite 53% using general fitness apps. The majority considered the existence of a specific application for physical activity during pregnancy and postpartum to be important or very important. The main preferences regarding the app were: access to recommendations on an active and healthy lifestyle during pregnancy and postpartum; direct interaction with health and exercise professionals; the ability to record health and clinical parameters, physical activity, and training logs; access to guidelines on postpartum preparation and recovery programs; and workouts to perform at home and outdoors.

conclusionsUser perspective is an actual trend for focusing on end users' point of view and preferences, as they are the people for whom the software is designed. The results reinforce and highlight the relevance of building a specific app for physical activity and other lifestyle parameters during pregnancy and postpartum that includes reliable and updated information, allows interaction with health and exercise professionals for monitoring, and enables the recording of progress. These results will be used in the creation and development of the "Active Pregnancy App" which can thus better meet the needs and demands of pregnant and postpartum women.

Indexed as

ExerciseHealth PromotionHealthy LifestyleMobile ApplicationsPatient PreferencePostpartum PeriodAdultCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansPregnancyRetrospective StudiesSurveys and QuestionnairesComputer applicationsExerciseGadgetsHealthInterventionLifestylePostpartumPregnancyTechnologyUser

Identifiers

PMID40348982
PMCPMC12065138

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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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.