Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, Vol 53, Issue 6 P384-P392, Copyright © 1998 by The Gerontological Society of America

ARTICLES

A randomized, controlled trial of a group intervention to reduce fear of falling and associated activity restriction in older adults

S Tennstedt, J Howland, M Lachman, E Peterson, L Kasten and A Jette
New England Research Institutes, Watertown, Massachusetts, USA. sharont@neri.org

A randomized, single-blind controlled trial was conducted to test the efficacy of a community-based group intervention to reduce fear of falling and associated restrictions in activity levels among older adults. A sample of 434 persons age 60+ years, who reported fear of falling and associated activity restriction, was recruited from 40 senior housing sites in the Boston metropolitan area. Data were collected at baseline, and at 6-week, 6-month, and 12-month follow-ups. Compared with contact control subjects, intervention subjects reported increased levels of intended activity (p < .05) and greater mobility control (p < .05) immediately after the intervention. Effects at 12 months included improved social function (p < .05) and mobility range (p < .05). The intervention had immediate but modest beneficial effects that diminished over time in the setting with no booster intervention.

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