Physical activity program to help pregnant women cut back on drinking
Official title: Development of a physical activity intervention to reduce prenatal alcohol use
Funded at Butler Hospital (Providence, Ri) · NIH-11455105 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A prenatal program uses movement and activity to help pregnant women who drink reduce alcohol use and improve outcomes for mom and baby.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Butler Hospital (Providence, Ri) NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $223,159 |
| NIH project number | 1R34AA032875-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11455105 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant individuals with a history of risky alcohol use, including those with depression or anxiety flirting with high-risk drinking, who can engage in moderate physical activity.
✕Less likely to help
Pregnant individuals who cannot participate in physical activity due to medical restrictions or safety concerns may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to test a physical activity-based approach to support pregnant women with risky drinking behaviors. It will tailor activity plans to individuals and monitor effects on alcohol use and mood during pregnancy. The study seeks to determine if adding structured exercise can help separate coping from drinking and improve health for both mother and fetus. Participants will be recruited from prenatal settings and followed through pregnancy to assess changes in alcohol use and safety outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could provide a non-pharmacological option to reduce prenatal alcohol exposure and improve birth outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous psychosocial approaches show promise; this study adds a physical activity component to address high-risk groups.
Where this research is happening
-
Butler Hospital (Providence, Ri)
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Battle, Cynthia L. — Butler Hospital (Providence, Ri)
- Study coordinator: Battle, Cynthia L.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.