NCT07698483 · University of Pennsylvania
DE-RESTRICT: Deimplementing Activity Restriction for Preterm Birth Prevention
What this study is about
DE-RESTRICT is a pilot study testing whether a strategy to reduce the use of activity restriction and bedrest in pregnancy is acceptable, appropriate, and feasible for prenatal care providers, and whether it changes how often activity restriction is recommended.
View original scientific description
DE-RESTRICT is a pilot study testing whether a strategy to reduce the use of activity restriction and bedrest in pregnancy is acceptable, appropriate, and feasible for prenatal care providers, and whether it changes how often activity restriction is recommended. Activity restriction and bedrest are commonly advised to try to prevent preterm birth, but they do not prevent it and may cause harm, and national guidelines recommend against them. The study takes place at two prenatal care settings within one health system and unfolds across four periods. In the pre-deimplementation period the study team develops a local clinical guideline and measures baseline outcomes. In the run-in period most provider education is delivered through interactive sessions with feedback, and audit and feedback begins. In the maintenance period audit and feedback continues. In the post-deimplementation period audit and feedback continues and outcomes are measured again. The study measures provider acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility, the rate of activity restriction recommendations, patient-reported wellbeing and care experience, and the preterm birth rate.
Interventions
BEHAVIORAL
Multicomponent deimplementation strategy
A multicomponent strategy to reduce provider-recommended activity restriction and bedrest for preterm birth prevention, comprising development of a local clinical guideline aligned with national recommendations and identification of site champions; interactive educational sessions for providers with feedback; periodic audit and feedback to practices on the rate of activity restriction recommendations; and patient educational materials on safe physical activity in pregnancy that are made available to clinicians, who may choose to share them with patients. Delivered across the run-in, maintenance, and post-deimplementation periods and linked to the single study arm.
Primary outcome measures
Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM)
Time frame: Post-deimplementation period (approximately months 13 to 14)
Mean provider score on the 4-item AIM, 5-point scale; higher scores indicate greater acceptability of the deimplementation strategy.
Intervention Appropriateness Measure (IAM)
Time frame: Post-deimplementation period (approximately months 13 to 14)
Mean provider score on the 4-item IAM, 5-point scale; higher scores indicate greater perceived appropriateness.
Feasibility of Intervention Measure (FIM)
Time frame: Post-deimplementation period (approximately months 13 to 14)
Mean provider score on the 4-item FIM, 5-point scale; higher scores indicate greater perceived feasibility.
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- For Providers: Physicians, midwives, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, nursing assistants, medical assistants, and other healthcare staff who provide or participate in prenatal or high-risk pregnancy care or consultation at a participating site.
- For Patients: Secondary patient-reported outcomes draw on pregnant individuals at high risk for preterm birth (qualifying diagnoses include short cervix, cervical insufficiency, multiple gestation, preterm labor, preterm contractions, vaginal bleeding, placental conditions, or a history of prior preterm birth), between 0 and 12 weeks postpartum for the survey measures. The activity restriction recommendation measure is collected through the Take Home Electronic Assessment (THEA) and therefore reaches only patients enrolled in THEA, at 33 weeks of gestation, across all periods; in the pre-deimplementation and post-deimplementation periods the additional survey battery is sent only to patients with a qualifying high-risk diagnosis.
Exclusion criteria
- For Providers: Staff who self-exclude by choosing not to interact with deimplementation meetings and communications
- For Patients: Patients are excluded if they are unable to walk or are hospitalized without discharge home before delivery after the qualifying diagnosis is made.
Where
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Collaborators
Foundation for SMFM, American Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Foundation (AAOGF)
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Aug 10, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations