Reducing fear of falling and avoidance of activity in elderly persons: The development of a Dutch version of an American intervention

Zijlstra, G.A. Rixt; Tennstedt, Sharon L.; Haastregt, Jolanda C.M. van; Eijk, Jacques Th.M. van; Kempen, Gertrudis I.J.M.

doi:10.1016/j.pec.2005.07.005

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Volume 62, Issue 2 , Pages 220-227, August 2006

Reducing fear of falling and avoidance of activity in elderly persons: The development of a Dutch version of an American intervention

G.A. Rixt Zijlstra
- Maastricht University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Health Care Studies, Section Medical Sociology, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Corresponding author. Present address: Maastricht University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Health Care Studies, Section Medical Sociology, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands. Tel.: +31 43 3882289; fax: +31 43 3884169.
Sharon L. Tennstedt
- New England Research Institutes, Watertown, MA, USA
Jolanda C.M. van Haastregt
- Maastricht University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Health Care Studies, Section Medical Sociology, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht, The Netherlands
Jacques Th.M. van Eijk
- Maastricht University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Health Care Studies, Section Medical Sociology, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht, The Netherlands
Gertrudis I.J.M. Kempen
- Maastricht University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Health Care Studies, Section Medical Sociology, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht, The Netherlands

Received 23 December 2004; received in revised form 7 July 2005; accepted 12 July 2005.

Abstract

Objective

The present study reports on the development of a Dutch version of an American intervention for community-residing older persons in The Netherlands. Adaptation of this cognitive behavioural group intervention, to reduce fear of falling and avoidance of activity in older persons, was required before evaluation in a different setting.

Methods

The process of adaptation consisted of defining the target population, translating the original intervention manual literally, consulting Dutch experts and a developer of the original intervention, selecting qualified facilitators and conducting a pilot study of the adapted manual.

Results

Adaptations were incorporated to improve the content, feasibility and didactic materials. The main adaptations were scheduling more time for some activities, changing session frequency from twice to once a week, adding a booster session after 6 months and adding more transparencies.

Conclusion

A critical assessment of the appropriateness and feasibility of the original intervention provided important information to facilitate replication in the Dutch setting. Applying a systematic approach is recommended in the process of adapting an original intervention for use in a different setting.