TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2012//
TI  - Effect of a Fall Prevention Program on Balance Maintenance Using a Quasi-experimental Design in Real-World Settings
JO  - Journal of aging and health
A1  - Robitaille, Yvonne
A1  - Fournier, Michel
A1  - Laforest, Sophie
A1  - Gauvin, Lise
A1  - Filiatrault, Johanne
A1  - Corriveau, Helene
SP  - 827
EP  - 845
VL  - 24
IS  - 5
N2  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of a fall prevention program offered under real-world conditions on balance maintenance several months after the program. To explore the program's impact on falls. METHOD: A quasi-experimental study was conducted among community-dwelling seniors, with pre- and postintervention measures of balance performance and self-reported falls. Ten community-based organizations offered the intervention (98 participants) and 7 recruited participants to the study's control arm (102 participants). An earlier study examined balance immediately after the 12-week program. The present study focuses on the 12-month effect. Linear regression (balance) and negative binomial regression (falls) procedures were performed. RESULTS: During the 12-month study period, experimental participants improved and maintained their balance as reflected by their scores on three performance tests. There was no evidence of an effect on falls. DISCUSSION: Structured group exercise programs offered in community-based settings can maintain selected components of balance for several months after the program's end.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0898-2643
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0898264312436713
ID  - ref1
ER  -