A RANDOMIZED, CONTROLLED TRIAL OF A GROUP INTERVENTION TO REDUCE FEAROF FALLING AND ASSOCIATED ACTIVITY RESTRICTION IN OLDER ADULTS

A randomized single-blind controlled trial was conducted to test the e fficacy of a community-based group intervention to reduce fear of fall ing and associated restrictions in activity levels among older adults. A sample of 434 persons age 60+ years, who reported fear of falling a nd associated activity restriction,,vas recruited from 40 senior housi ng sites in the Boston metropolitan area Data were collected at baseli ne, and at 6-week, 6-month, and 12-month follow-ups. Compared with con tact control subjects, intervention subjects reported increased levels of intended activity (p <.05) and greater mobility control (p <.05) i mmediately after the intervention. Effects at 12 months included impro ved social function (p <.05) and mobility range (p <.05). The interven tion had immediate but modest beneficial effects that diminished over time in the setting with no booster intervention.