title: Effect of a fall prevention program on balance maintenance using a quasi-experimental design in real-world settings.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.falls.
  
  
  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.falls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Structured group exercise programs offered in community-based settings can maintain selected components of balance for several months after the program's end.
authors.affiliation: Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ), Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Yvonne
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Robitaille
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fournier
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Laforest
authors.forename: Lise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gauvin
authors.forename: Johanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Filiatrault
authors.forename: Hélène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Corriveau
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012107:Research Design