Reducing fear of falling and avoidance of activity in elderly persons: the development of a Dutch version of an American intervention.
OBJECTIVE
The present study reports on the development of a Dutch version of an American intervention for community-residing older persons in The Netherlands. Adaptation of this cognitive behavioural group intervention, to reduce fear of falling and avoidance of activity in older persons, was required before evaluation in a different setting.


METHODS
The process of adaptation consisted of defining the target population, translating the original intervention manual literally, consulting Dutch experts and a developer of the original intervention, selecting qualified facilitators and conducting a pilot study of the adapted manual.


RESULTS
Adaptations were incorporated to improve the content, feasibility and didactic materials. The main adaptations were scheduling more time for some activities, changing session frequency from twice to once a week, adding a booster session after 6 months and adding more transparencies.


CONCLUSIONS
A critical assessment of the appropriateness and feasibility of the original intervention provided important information to facilitate replication in the Dutch setting. Applying a systematic approach is recommended in the process of adapting an original intervention for use in a different setting.


CONCLUSIONS
To facilitate replication, in general, more detailed information should be provided about interventions.
Zijlstra
G A Rixt
GA
Maastricht University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Health Care Studies, Section Medical Sociology, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands. R.Zijlstra@zw.unimaas.nl
Tennstedt
Sharon L
SL
van Haastregt
Jolanda C M
JC
van Eijk
Jacques Th M
JT
Kempen
Gertrudis I J M
GI
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004779:Environment Design; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005239:Fear; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D009426:Netherlands; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D020377:Self Efficacy; D014175:Translating