STUDY OBJECTIVES Objectives
To assess:
1. Effect of intervention on HbA1c at 12 and 24 weeks
2. Adherence to intervention
3. Participants' preferred time to commence the study, within the start date allowance of 6 weeks - 6 month post-delivery.
4. Qualitative data on how participants found post-delivery intervention
5. Effect of intervention on weight at 12 and 24 weeks
6. Effect of intervention on systolic and diastolic blood pressure at 12 and 24 weeks
7. Effect of intervention on lipid profile (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL) at 12 and 24 weeks
8. Effect of intervention on physical activity at 12 and 24 weeks
3\. STUDY DESIGN We will conduct a feasibility study for an open-label, randomised, controlled trial of a personalised post-delivery intervention (DNA Nudge) to improve weight, glycaemia and cardiovascular function in women with previous GDM.
The study is designed to be remote, to enable the study to begin and continue in the pandemic and minimise barriers to recruitment. Study participants will be provided with equipment and instructions to collect samples and measurements at home. Contact with the research team will be over telephone or Microsoft Teams video call.
We will advertise in diabetes antenatal clinics using word-of-mouth, posters, social media and on departmental emails at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust or Imperial College for women with current/previous GDM aged 18-45. We will recruit via Twitter, email and in-person encounters.
We will randomise women to 1 of 2 arms:
Arm 1: Standard dietary and physical activity advice as per NICE guidelines at week 1 (active control arm; n = 25) Arm 2: DNA-based personalised dietary and physical advice delivered by DNA Nudge dietician at week 1 and by DNA Nudge wearable and app for weeks 1-24 (intervention arm; n = 25)
Women not randomised to DNA Nudge will be provided with an activity app/wearable device (Fitbit) to monitor daily step count. All women will be provided with a home BP monitor and weighing scales.
Week 1 Eligibility assessment, consent, randomisation, IPAQ questionnaire, baseline BP and weight, blood sample collected for baseline lipid profile.
Some women will begin the study at 13 weeks post-delivery and coincide with the routine postnatal HbA1c for women with GDM. The routine post-delivery HbA1c will be baseline HbA1c for this study. For women who commence the study outside the 13 weeks post-delivery window, a finger prick blood sample will be used for a baseline HbA1c test.
Women in the control arm will be given standard dietary and physical activity advice by the research team, in line with NICE guidelines.
Women in the DNA Nudge arm will provide a cheek swab for DNA analysis, carried out by DNA Nudge. They will be given personalised dietary advice by a DNA Nudge dietician, and be provided with DNA Nudge wearable, app and instructions.
Week 6:
Telephone/video-call follow-up to check ongoing willingness to participate and assess adherence.
Week 12:
Collect weight and BP data from weeks 1-12, collect blood sample for HbA1c and lipid profile. Check ongoing willingness to participate and assess adherence.
Week 18:
Telephone/video-call follow-up to check ongoing willingness to participate and assess adherence.
Week 24:
Collect weight and BP data from weeks 12-24, follow-up IPAQ questionnaire, collect blood sample for HbA1c and lipid profile, return devices and collect usage data from DNA Nudge. Qualitative questionnaire to explore intervention experience.
