Effects of a Multicomponent Cognitive Behavioral Group Intervention on Fear of Falling and Activity Avoidance in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of a multicomponent cognitive behavioral intervention on fear of falling and activity avoidance in older adults. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Community‐dwelling adults in the Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS: Five hundred forty adults aged 70 and older who reported fear of falling and fear‐induced activity avoidance (280 intervention, 260 control). INTERVENTION: A multicomponent cognitive behavioral group intervention consisting of eight weekly sessions and a booster session. The sessions were aimed at instilling adaptive and realistic views on falls, reducing fall risk, and increasing activity and safe behavior. MEASUREMENTS: Data on fear of falling, activity avoidance, concerns about falling, perceived control over falling, and daily activity were collected at baseline and at 2, 8, and 14 months. RESULTS: At 2 months, there were significant between‐group differences in fear of falling (odds ratio (OR)=0.11; P