ABSTRACT
Investigating the implementation and dissemination of evidence-based health-promotion programs to reach large numbers of diverse
older adults is needed. The purpose of this study is to examine relationships between class size and session attendance and
assess differences in intervention outcomes based on these community-based fall prevention program characteristics. Pre-post
data were analyzed from 2,056 falls prevention program participants. PROC MIXED for repeated measures and ordinary least squares
regressions were employed. Approximately 32% of participants enrolled in recommended class sizes (eight to 12 participants)
and 76.4% of enrolled seniors attended more than five of eight sessions. Enrolling in smaller class sizes was associated with
higher class attendance (X
2 = 43.43, p < 0.001). Recommended class sizes and those with 13–20 participants reported significant improvements in falls efficacy and
physical activity. Perfect attendance was associated with improvements in falls efficacy (t = 2.52, p < 0.05) and activity limitation (t = −2.66, p < 0.01). Findings can inform fall prevention program developers and lay leader deliverers about ideal class sizes relative
to maximum intervention benefits and cost efficiency.
older adults is needed. The purpose of this study is to examine relationships between class size and session attendance and
assess differences in intervention outcomes based on these community-based fall prevention program characteristics. Pre-post
data were analyzed from 2,056 falls prevention program participants. PROC MIXED for repeated measures and ordinary least squares
regressions were employed. Approximately 32% of participants enrolled in recommended class sizes (eight to 12 participants)
and 76.4% of enrolled seniors attended more than five of eight sessions. Enrolling in smaller class sizes was associated with
higher class attendance (X
2 = 43.43, p < 0.001). Recommended class sizes and those with 13–20 participants reported significant improvements in falls efficacy and
physical activity. Perfect attendance was associated with improvements in falls efficacy (t = 2.52, p < 0.05) and activity limitation (t = −2.66, p < 0.01). Findings can inform fall prevention program developers and lay leader deliverers about ideal class sizes relative
to maximum intervention benefits and cost efficiency.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s13142-011-0058-7
- Authors
- Matthew Lee Smith, Department of Health Promotion and Behavior, College of Public Health, The University of Georgia, 330 River Road 315 Ramsey Center, Athens, GA 30602-6522, USA
- Angela K Hochhalter, Scott & White Healthcare and Texas A&M Health Science Center, Temple, TX, USA
- Yichen Cheng, Department of Statistics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
- Suojin Wang, Department of Statistics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
- Marcia G Ory, Department of Social and Behavioral Health, School of Rural Public Health, Texas A&M Health Science Center, 1266 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA
- Journal Translational Behavioral Medicine
- Online ISSN 1613-9860
- Print ISSN 1869-6716