The Perinatal Health and Behaviors (PHAB) Lab's goal is to improve the psychological, physical, and emotional health and wellness of perinatal individuals through research, education and training. Dr. Michele Levine and her team are particularly interested in understanding relationships among mood, weight, and other health behaviors and developing, adapting, testing, and providing interventions to address the needs of individuals during the perinatal period. Below are ongoing studies and additional lab activities. In addition, the lab hosts data sets from previously completed trials and studies of perinatal health and mental health.
Health and Behaviors in Transitions (HABIT):
The HABIT study is a sequential multiple assignment randomized trial (SMART) designed to evaluate the efficacy of different sequences of intervention across pregnancy and the postpartum period on maternal cardiometabolic health and psychological wellness at one year postpartum. Pregnant participants with prepregnancy overweight or obesity are randomized to receive either an intervention focused on health behavior and well-being during pregnancy or enhanced-usual prenatal care. Participants are randomized again at delivery to a postpartum intervention or enhanced usual care and assessments of behaviors including both objective and subjective measurements occur across pregnancy and the postpartum year.
Impulsive phenotypes in the perinatal period (iHABIT):
A sub-study of HABIT, iHABIT, examines the links among disinhibited behavior, deficits in attention, and impulsive decision-making, to weight patterns during the perinatal period. In addition, the study will evaluate the relationship between impulsive phenotypes in the perinatal period and intervention outcome. Participants complete assessments during pregnancy and from 2 weeks to 12 months postpartum.
ClockWork Postpartum:
ClockWork is a pilot randomized clinical trial to evaluate the preliminary efficacy of an intervention based on lifestyle behavior change and circadian science. The ClockWork study aims to better understand how timing of eating, activity, sleep, and light/dark exposure relates to weight and health and evaluates the effectiveness of personalized coaching and digital tools in improving treatment outcomes for postpartum individuals.
Mindful Moms:
Mindful Moms is a pilot clinical trial focused on the effectiveness of adaptation of an evidenced based intervention for pregnant people. Mindful Moms examines the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) on psychological functioning and health behaviors in perinatal individuals. Pregnant participants will receive an 8-week period of MBCT delivered via telehealth.
Health over the Peripartum (HOP):
The HOP Study is a sub-study linked to the Pittsburgh Girls Study (PGS). HOP examines the relationship between changes in stress regulation during pregnancy and cardiovascular disease risk in the postpartum years in a sample of young Black women. Data from this study will improve understanding of disease risk specific to Black women and will inform the targets and timing of interventions to reduce persistent racial inequities in maternal health.
Other activities in PHAB Lab include research and clinical training for Clinical Psychology Interns and Postdoctoral Scholars through the NIH-T32 training program. The PHAB Lab is dedicated to training the next generation of clinical scientists interested in perinatal health, behavioral medicine, obesity and eating and weight-related behaviors and clinical trials. We are committed to enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusivity in our work and seek opportunities to increase representation in science, engage in health equity research, and grow our cultural humility.
Funding:
NHBLI R01 HL132578
NIDDK R01 DK117358
The Obesity Society and Weight Watchers International
Walter Katkovsky Research Grant from the American Psychological Foundation
NHLBI 5R01HL157787