This study examined transfer effects o f fall training on fear of falling (Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I)), balance performance, and spatiotemporal gait characteristics in older adults. Eighteen community-dwelling older adults (ages 65 to 85) were randomly assigned to an intervention or control group. The intervention group completed 12 training sessions (60 min, 6 weeks). During pre- and posttesting, we measured FES-I, balance performance (double limb, closed eyes; single limb, open eyes; double limb, open eyes with motor-interfered task), and gait parameters (eg, velocity; cadence; stride time, stride width, and stride length; variability of stride time and stride length) under single- and motor- interfered tasks. Dual tasks were applied to appraise improvements of cognitive processing during balance and gait. FES-I (p = 0.33) and postural sway did not significantly change (0.36 < p < 0.79). Trends toward significant interaction effects were found for step width during normal walking and stride length variability during the motor dual task (p = 0.05, eta-p2 = 0.22). Fall training did not sufficiently improve fear of falling, balance, or gait performance under single- or dual-task conditions in healthy older adults.

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