@article{ref1,
title="Integrated exposure therapy and exercise reduces fear of falling and avoidance in older adults: a randomized pilot study",
journal="American journal of geriatric psychiatry",
year="2018",
author="Wetherell, Julie Loebach and Bower, Emily S. and Johnson, Kristen and Chang, Douglas G. and Ward, Samuel R. and Petkus, Andrew J.",
volume="26",
number="8",
pages="849-859",
abstract="OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the safety and acceptability of a novel 8-week intervention integrating exercise, exposure therapy, cognitive restructuring, and a home safety evaluation, conducted by a physical therapist, in reducing fear of falling and activity avoidance. To collect preliminary evidence of efficacy. <br><br>DESIGN: Randomized pilot study comparing the intervention to time- and attention-equivalent fall prevention education. SETTING: Participants' homes. PARTICIPANTS: 42 older adults with disproportionate fear of falling (high fear, low to moderate objective fall risk). MEASUREMENTS: Falls Efficacy Scale-International, modified Activity Card Sort, satisfaction, falls. <br><br>RESULTS: Relative to education, the intervention reduced fear of falling (d = 1.23) and activity avoidance (d = 1.02) at 8 weeks, but effects eroded over a 6-month follow-up period. The intervention did not increase falls, and participants rated the exercise, exposure therapy, and non-specific elements as most helpful. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: An integration of exercise and exposure therapy may help older adults with disproportionate fear of falling, but modifications to the intervention or its duration may be needed to maintain participants' gains.<br><br>Published by Elsevier Inc.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1064-7481",
doi="10.1016/j.jagp.2018.04.001",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jagp.2018.04.001"
}