Participant Characteristics as Moderators of the Effects of Cognitive Behavioral Interventions on Concerns About Falling: Secondary Analyses of Two Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract

Effects of interventions may vary among participants. We explored whether participant characteristics were moderators of the effects of two cognitive behavioral interventions on concerns about falling (CaF) in older community-dwelling people. Secondary analyses of two RCTs were performed, concerning the group intervention A Matter of Balance - Netherlands (AMB-NL, n = 540) and individual AMB - Home (n = 389) intervention. Marginal models were used to assess moderation. Analyses included single moderator and multiple moderator models containing multiple moderators at once. A total of 19 characteristics were assessed. Moderating effects were found for living situation, fall history, symptoms of depression, perceived general health, ADL disability, cognitive status, and consequences of falling—loss of independence subscale. Effects varied by intervention, time point, and type of model.