This article entitled “Feasibility of a cognitive behavioral group intervention to reduce fear of falling and associated avoidance of activity in community-living older people: a process evaluation” is a study about elderly people faced with the fear of falling and as a result they limit the restrictions of their activities. Haastregt, Zijlstra, Rossum, Eijk, Witte, & Kempen (2007), states that “20 to 60 % of the older people living in the community are afraid of falling and 20 to 55 % report activity restriction”. This could create other problems such as a decline in their ability to function, decrease their quality of life and their becoming institutionalized. A cognitive behavioral group invention was developed named “A Matter of Balance” by Tennstedt and his colleagues to address and prevent the elderly person’s fear of falling and encourage movement midst this community. Cognitive interventions and tools are used to develop and employ how to accomplish the goal. The intervention is inclusive of a six week session for 120 minutes and afterwards a booster session is administered for six mouths. The following strategies were employed show that the risk and fear of falling can be controlled, set goals reachable for increasing activity, setting a clear and safe environment that will decrease chances of falling, and encouraging physical exercise that will foster strength and balance. The interventions prove to be favorable in lessening the client’s fear of falling and evading participating in daily activity. The cognitive behavioral group intervention used in the study has showed the method to be effective in achieving the goals set and fits in with the regular routine of care for the clients. The elderly people used in this study are a group of individuals residing in a living assistance facility. They have access to the amenities necessary in living a productive and active life, however; fear holds them captive from living the vigorous life they could have.
About 84 % of the elderly people that entered the study completed it; therefore the study was a very successful.
A variety of moralistic techniques were applied during the sessions lectures, videos, group discussions, mutual problem-solving, physical exercises, skill development, and homework including reading handouts, concerns about falling, personal planners, and home safety checklists (Haastregt, Zijlstra, Rossum, Eijk, Witte, & Kempen, 2007). Although the study prove that cognitive behavioral group intervention was effective in this particular community or population, further studying of the cognitive technique would be necessary to improve intervention effectiveness and efficiency.

Haastregt, J.C.V., Zijlstra G.R., Rossum, E.V., Eijk, J.T.V., Witte, L.P.D. & Kempen, G.I. (2007). Feasibility of a cognitive behavioral group intervention to reduce fear of falling and associated avoidance of activity in community-living older people: a process evaluation. Retrieved from http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6963/7/156