Exploring Demographic and Cognitive Predictors of Self-Management in Quasi-Randomized Fall Prevention Intervention for Older Adults With and Without Traumatic Brain Injury

OBJECTIVE: Changes in health behavior are key to maintaining health, safety, and independence of older adults. The purpose of this study was to explore factors impacting training in self-management and behavior change in older adults with and without traumatic brain injury (TBI), informing efforts to improve safety and independent function. METHODS: Forty-one older adults, 19 with TBI, completed a self-regulation intervention (mental contrasting with implementation intentions; MCII) to promote fall prevention behavior change. Participant outcomes were related to single and recurring behavior changes; implementation outcomes were measured as modifications to treatment. RESULTS: Although participants with TBI performed more poorly on tests of neurocognitive function, there were no differences in behavior change rates following MCII, suggesting the treatment worked similarly for participants with and without TBI. Across both groups, those with higher executive function scores were more likely to complete recurring behavior changes. Participants with higher stress, higher Fall Risk Scores, or history of TBI were more likely to need modifications to treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This quasi-experimental pilot study describes cognitive and psychosocial predictors that may be critical for participation and success in health behavior change and self-management of fall prevention for older adults with and without TBI.