title: Community Delivery of a Comprehensive Fall-Prevention Program in People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Retrospective Observational Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  People with multiple sclerosis (MS) fall frequently. In 2011, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society launched a multifactorial fall-prevention group exercise and education program, Free From Falls (FFF), to prevent falls in MS. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of participation in the FFF program on balance, mobility, and falls in people with MS.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective evaluation of assessments from community delivery of FFF. Changes in Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale scores, Berg Balance Scale scores, 8-foot Timed Up and Go performance, and falls were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 134 participants completed the measures at the first and last FFF sessions, and 109 completed a 6-month follow-up assessment. Group mean scores on the Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale (F1,66 = 17.14, P < .05, η(2) = 0.21), Berg Balance Scale (F1,68 = 23.39, P < .05, η(2) = 0.26), and 8-foot Timed Up and Go (F1,79 = 4.83, P < .05, η(2) = 0.06) all improved significantly from the first to the last session. At the 6-month follow-up, fewer falls were reported (χ(2) [4, N = 239] = 10.56, P < .05, Phi = 0.21).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These observational data suggest that the FFF group education and exercise program improves balance confidence, balance performance, and functional mobility and reduces falls in people with MS.
authors.affiliation: Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, OR, USA (CLH, MC); Departments of Neurology (CLH, MC) and Rehabilitation (CLH), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Department of Advocacy, Services, and Research, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, New York, NY, USA (DF); and Madipen, LLC, Program Planning and Evaluation Consulting, Fort Collins, CO, USA (SAT).
authors.forename: Cinda L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Hugos
authors.affiliation: Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, OR, USA (CLH, MC); Departments of Neurology (CLH, MC) and Rehabilitation (CLH), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Department of Advocacy, Services, and Research, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, New York, NY, USA (DF); and Madipen, LLC, Program Planning and Evaluation Consulting, Fort Collins, CO, USA (SAT).
authors.forename: Debra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Frankel
authors.affiliation: Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, OR, USA (CLH, MC); Departments of Neurology (CLH, MC) and Rehabilitation (CLH), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Department of Advocacy, Services, and Research, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, New York, NY, USA (DF); and Madipen, LLC, Program Planning and Evaluation Consulting, Fort Collins, CO, USA (SAT).
authors.forename: Sara A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Tompkins
authors.affiliation: Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, OR, USA (CLH, MC); Departments of Neurology (CLH, MC) and Rehabilitation (CLH), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Department of Advocacy, Services, and Research, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, New York, NY, USA (DF); and Madipen, LLC, Program Planning and Evaluation Consulting, Fort Collins, CO, USA (SAT).
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cameron