Table 2.

Strategies used in the self-efficacy-enhancing intervention

	Strategies	BCTs	Evidence (references)
Performance accomplishments	Identifying the obstacles to keeping participants active through discussion	Problem solving	[42, 43, 81]
	Setting achievable goals and actions, e.g., achieving 10 min of exercise following the exercise video daily before increasing gradually to 30 min	Goal setting; Set graded tasks;	[42, 43, 80, 81]
	Negotiating techniques with participants to achieve bigger goals, e.g., set alarm on phone for activity; put notes on doors, the refrigerator, or the television to be active; stand or walk rather than siting in add breaks	Prompt self-monitoring of behaviour	[42, 43, 79–81]
	Monitoring physical activity diary and gestational weight gain on WeChat notes	Prompt self-monitoring of behaviour	[42, 43, 79–81]
	Planning for decreasing sedentary behavior	Prompt self-monitoring of behaviour	[42, 43, 79–81]
	Providing positive feedback for participants’ accomplishments	Provide feedback on performance	[42, 43, 77, 78, 81]
	Providing booklet to reinforce knowledge	Provide instruction	[42, 43, 78, 81]
	exercise clinic visit	Behavioral practice/rehearsal, Demonstration of the behavior	[75, 81]
Vicarious experience	Checking behavioral tracking, review, and feedback on goals; “we’re going to check how you went with your physical activity and tracking and work together to set a healthy activity goal.”	Prompt review of behavioural goals	[42, 43, 79]
	Sharing self-management strategies from successful pregnant women	Facilitate social comparison; social support	[42, 43, 78, 81]
Verbal persuasion	Discussing and providing information about consequences of physical inactivity and unhealthy gestational weight gain	Provide information on consequences of behaviour	[42, 43]
	Confirming participants have the capability for exercise and weight self-management	Motivational interviewing	[80]
	Informing that one’s own behavior may be an example to others, i.e., inform the participants that if they do physical activity, that may be a good example for their friends and family members.	Information about social and environmental consequences	[75]
	Guiding participants to recall previous successful behavior-change situations, discuss context and factors associated with success	Prompting focus on past success	[80]
	Providing positive feedback for the participant’s effort	Reinforcing effort or progress towards behaviour;	[78]
physiological and emotional	Assessing and explaining the participant’s pregnancy-related symptoms and negative emotions	Stress Management/emotional control training	[42, 43, 75, 79, 80]
	Discussing strategies for managing symptoms, anxiety, or depression, such as positive self-talk and muscle relaxation

Note: BCTs, Behavior Change Techniques