Comparing Outcomes of Virtual Versus in-Person Delivery of an Evidence-Based Fall-Prevention Program

Introduction: The A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns about Falls Lay Leader program (MOB) is an in-person, evidence-based, fall-prevention program designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase physical activity in older adults. MaineHealth adapted the MOB for virtual delivery (MOB-V) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This retrospective analysis compared the effect of MOB versus MOB-V on participant outcomes for fear of falling, falls self-efficacy, and increasing activity levels using data submitted to the Healthy Aging Programs Integrated Database (HAPID) from January 1, 2021, through December 31, 2022. Results: There was a reduction in the perceived fear of falling and an increase in fall self-efficacy and activity levels of participants in both programs. No significant difference was seen between MOB and MOB-V. Discussion: This study showed that MOB and MOB-V resulted in similar reductions in the perceived fear of falling and increased participant activity levels. Both MOB and MOB-V groups also had a similar increase in falls self-efficacy and increased belief in their ability to build strength through exercise. Similar success of MOB-V in improving key program outcomes further supports that access to virtual evidence-based programs can help mitigate the fear of falling. Conclusions: This study showed that the virtual adaptation (MOB-V) is effective and has statistically equivalent outcomes to in-person MOB. This result has implications for further dissemination of MOB. By offering an equally efficacious program in a virtual format, MOB-V can increase equity of access and participation by people who otherwise could not attend.