Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Translated "A Matter of Balance" Fall Prevention Program Materials for Non-English-Speaking Participants.

The sample was small, and MOB classes were limited to 8-12 participants per course. Spanish 6-month follow-up data were missing, so longer-term effectiveness in Spanish participants was not estimated. The Chinese and Spanish FES-I translations were pending validation at the time of the study. Low participant literacy meant coaches often read surveys aloud and assisted with answers, which could affect responses. Participants were ambulatory and community-dwelling, so findings may not apply to people who cannot walk unaided. Some winter courses were postponed because of snow and weather, which could bias the data. Many potential non-English speakers were reluctant to join because of immigration status concerns. Participants may not have accurately reported falls or fear because of recall bias and hesitance to disclose. The study was not designed to identify why the program did not reduce fear in Chinese participants.

Do not conclude that translated MOB is effective for non-English speakers because the Spanish group's fear decreased by last class. The Chinese group's fear increased significantly, and Spanish 6-month follow-up data were missing.