Credential · Certification

Matter of Balance

PTOT34 citations · 3 lenses

$938 annual medical cost reduction per participant. Group-based, lay-leader delivery model. CDC-endorsed. Fear of falling and activity restriction reduced.

Scores · default weights
Clinical
65/100
Business
27/100
Academic Clinical
47/100

Each lens uses its own dimensions and default weights. Scores answer different questions across paths — they aren’t apples-to-apples. How scoring works →

Clinical breakdown
Clinical outcomes×35%
70/100

Reduces fear of falling and improves balance confidence; fall rate reduction is secondary and modest compared to Otago.

Caseload applicability×15%
52/100

Applicable in community and geriatric settings; group format limits individual PT caseload application.

Billing & reimbursement×15%
52/100

Medicare Advantage plans cover in some markets; state fall prevention funding available; standard PT billing applies for clinical delivery.

Certification investment×20%
85/100

1-2 day facilitator training; low cost; widely available; easy to implement in community settings.

Employer demand×10%
38/100

Primarily sought for community fall prevention programs; limited clinical employer demand.

Patient experience×5%
72/100

Group social aspect highly valued; peer modeling of activity reduces fear.

Business breakdown
Cash-pay viability×25%
15/100

Designed for free/grant-funded community delivery via AAAs; almost no cash-pay model.

Pricing leverage×20%
15/100

Commodity community-health program; zero premium pricing.

Market differentiation×15%
20/100

Widely available through senior centers; not differentiating.

Owner leverage×15%
45/100

Coach-trainable group model is leverageable but the revenue model is grant-based.

Consumer demand×15%
15/100

Low brand awareness among private-pay consumers.

Credential investment×10%
85/100

Free or very low cost coach training; high efficiency.

Academic Clinical breakdown
Faculty recognition×25%
30/100

Recognized as evidence-based community program but viewed as service/outreach rather than scholarly credential.

Scholarship signal×20%
50/100

Some implementation/dissemination research but limited.

Teaching value×15%
45/100

Useful exemplar for community-based falls prevention and IPE coursework.

Evidence depth×20%
60/100

Solid evidence base from original Boston trial and replications.

Faculty demand×10%
20/100

Rarely required in faculty postings.

Credential investment×10%
85/100

Free and fast — high ROI for a community-engagement line on CV.

Evidence base · 34 sources
  1. 01
    Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance of Evidence-Based Falls Prevention Programs
    G. A. Juarez; J. Tripken; S. Perera; K. Cameron; J. L. Vincenzo; J. S. Brach · J Appl Gerontol2025
    Otherdoi:10.1177/07334648241287496
  2. 02
    Addressing the Digital Divide Among the Older Population Presents a Substantial Challenge
    S. H. Xie · J Med Internet Res2025
    Otherdoi:10.2196/69482
  3. 03
    Blood Pressure Management and Falls in Nursing Home Residents-A Matter of Balance
    M. T. Canales; R. I. Shorr · JAMA Intern Med2024
    Otherdoi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2024.0506
  4. 04
    Effectiveness of evidence-based fall prevention programs to reduce loneliness in the United States
    M. L. Smith; G. Han · Front Public Health2024
    Otherdoi:10.3389/fpubh.2024.1459225
  5. 05
    Using an academic-community partnership model to deliver evidence-based falls prevention programs in a metropolitan setting: A community case study
    C. S. Elrod; S. T. Pappa; P. C. Heyn; R. A. Wong · Front Public Health2023
    Case seriesdoi:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1073520
  6. 06
    Participant Characteristics as Moderators of the Effects of Cognitive Behavioral Interventions on Concerns About Falling: Secondary Analyses of Two Randomized Controlled Trials
    M. Kruisbrink; G. A. R. Zijlstra; R. Crutzen; T. A. C. Dorresteijn; B. Winkens; G. I. J. M. Kempen · Journal of Applied Gerontology2023
    RCTdoi:10.1177/07334648231165904
  7. 07
    Dissemination and Implementation of Evidence-Based Falls Prevention Programs: Reach and Effectiveness
    J. S. Brach; G. Juarez; S. Perera; K. Cameron; J. L. Vincenzo; J. Tripken · J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci2022
    Otherdoi:10.1093/gerona/glab197
  8. 08
    Functional Reach and Gait Speed Improvement in A Matter of Balance Participants
    J. Hood; M. L. Sharrah · Journal of Trauma Nursing2022
    Otherdoi:10.1097/jtn.0000000000000625
  9. 09
    Mapping Injury Prevention With Microsoft Excel
    M. L. Sharrah; K. E. Bechtel · Journal of Trauma Nursing2022
    Otherdoi:10.1097/jtn.0000000000000642
  10. 10
    Matter of Balance Classes Through Physical Therapist Fall Risk Assessment
    R. L. Geyer; T. Thompson · Journal of Trauma Nursing2021
    Otherdoi:10.1097/JTN.0000000000000579
  11. 11
    A Statewide Approach to Falls Prevention: Widespread Implementation of A Matter of Balance in North Carolina, 2014–2019
    N. Z. Mazza; E. Bailey; A. J. Lanou; N. Miller · Journal of Applied Gerontology2021
    Otherdoi:10.1177/0733464821997212
  12. 12
    Fear of Falling: A Matter of Balance; Exercise: It Is Never Too Late
    R. J. Scheidt · Oxford University Press / USA2021
    Otherdoi:129-131
  13. 13
    A Survey-Based Assessment of Matter of Balance" Participant Fall-Related Experience"
    R. Valatka; J. Krizo; A. Mallat · Journal of Trauma Nursing2021
    Cross-sectionaldoi:10.1097/jtn.0000000000000602
  14. 14
    Comparison of Balance Program Outcomes among Independently Living and Assisted Living Residents
    E. D. Katrancha; L. Bonachea · Western Journal of Nursing Research2020
    Otherdoi:10.1177/0193945919899438
  15. 15
    Effectiveness of a Matter of Balance Program Within an Assisted Living Community
    L. Reynolds; B. L. Buchanan; J. L. Alexander; E. Bordenave · Physical & Occupational Therapy in Geriatrics2020
    Otherdoi:10.1080/02703181.2019.1673526
  16. 16
    Trends in Geospatial Drivers of Fall-Related Hospitalizations and Asset Mapping of Fall Prevention Interventions for Vulnerable Older Adults
    S. D. Towne Jr; M. L. Smith; M. Xu; S. Lee; S. Sharma; D. Smith; Y. Li; Y. Fucci; M. G. Ory · Journal of Aging & Health2020
    Otherdoi:10.1177/0898264318822381
  17. 17
    Systematic review and meta-analysis of fear of falling and fall-related efficacy in a widely disseminated community-based fall prevention program
    A. Yoshikawa; G. Ramirez; M. L. Smith; S. Lee; M. G. Ory · Archives of Gerontology & Geriatrics2020
    Meta-analysisdoi:10.1016/j.archger.2020.104235
  18. 18
    Participation in Two Evidence-Based Falls Prevention Programs by Adults Aging With a Long-Term Disability: Case-Control Study of Reach and Effectiveness
    T. J. Eagen; S. M. Teshale; A. P. Herrera-Venson; A. Ordway; J. Caldwell · J Aging Health2019
    Case-controldoi:10.1177/0898264318808918
  19. 19
    Evidence‐Based Community Fall Prevention Programs at Senior Centers Near 10 US Academic Centers
    C. Hamel; N. Hekmatjah; B. Hakakian; M. Banooni; J. Lalezari; M. S. Simino; J. Azizi; D. Zaghi; L. Kamen; L. Atanelov · Journal of the American Geriatrics Society2019
    Otherdoi:10.1111/jgs.15961
  20. 20
    Fall Risk Reduction Program Paired with a Transportation Program in an Underserved, Urban Minority Community: A Qualitative Evaluation
    T. J. Mielenz; L. Durbin; F. Hertzberg; D. Noble-Hernandez; J. A. Sorensen · Journal of Aging Research2019
    Qualitativedoi:10.1155/2019/2719290
  21. 21
    Effects of the Matter of Balance Program on Self-Reported Physical Activity in Community-Dwelling Older Adults
    W. E. Palmer; V. S. Mercer · Gerontol Geriatr Med2019
    Otherdoi:10.1177/2333721419880698
  22. 22
    Mediating Role of Fall-related Efficacy in a Fall Prevention Program
    A. Yoshikawa; M. L. Smith · American Journal of Health Behavior2019
    Otherdoi:10.5993/AJHB.43.2.15
  23. 23
    Effect of a Matter of Balance programme on avoidance behaviour due to fear of falling in older adults
    C. Sartor‐Glittenberg; E. Bordenave; C. Bay; L. Bordenave; J. L. Alexander · Psychogeriatrics2018
    Otherdoi:10.1111/psyg.12310
  24. 24
    Delivery of Fall Prevention Interventions for At-Risk Older Adults in Rural Areas: Findings from a National Dissemination
    M. L. Smith; S. D. Towne; A. Herrera-Venson; K. Cameron; S. A. Horel; M. G. Ory; C. L. Gilchrist; E. C. Schneider; C. DiCocco; S. Skowronski · Int J Environ Res Public Health2018
    Otherdoi:10.3390/ijerph15122798
  25. 25
    An Investigation of the Effectiveness of A Matter of Balance/Volunteer Lay Leader Model (AMOB/VLL): Findings from a Community Senior Center
    C. Walters; M. Troutman-Jordan · Activities, Adaptation & Aging2018
    Otherdoi:10.1080/01924788.2017.1376174
  26. 26
    Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Translated A Matter of Balance" Fall Prevention Program Materials for Non-English-Speaking Participants"
    E. S. Wolfe; S. S. Arabian; J. L. Breeze; N. Bugaev · Journal of Trauma Nursing2018
    Otherdoi:10.1097/JTN.0000000000000394
  27. 27
    Predictors of and health- and fall-related program outcomes resulting from complete and adequate doses of a fall risk reduction program
    T. J. Mielenz; L. L. Durbin; F. Hertzberg; D. Nobile-Hernandez; H. Jia · Transl Behav Med2017
    Otherdoi:10.1007/s13142-016-0444-2
  28. 28
    Older adult falls prevention behaviors 60 days post-discharge from an urban emergency department after treatment for a fall
    K. Shankar; N. Treadway; A. Taylor; A. Breaud; E. Peterson; J. Howland · Injury Epidemiology2017
    Otherdoi:10.1186/s40621-017-0114-y
  29. 29
    Effects of Comorbidities on Self-Reported Outcomes From the Matter of Balance Program for Older Adults...2017 ACRM/American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine Annual Conference 23-28 October, Atlanta, GA
    L. Taylor; L. Morosanu · Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation2017
    Otherdoi:10.1016/j.apmr.2017.08.054
  30. 30
    A comparative study on the effects of Tai Chi and Matter of Balance on measures of balance and fall efficacy in older adults
    T. K. Skalko; L. A. Burgess; M. Janke · American Journal of Recreation Therapy2016
    Otherdoi:10.5055/ajrt.2016.0109
  31. 31
    The Effects of the A Matter of Balance Program on Falls and Physical Risk of Falls, Tampa, Florida, 2013
    T.-Y. Chen; J. D. Edwards; M. C. Janke · Preventing Chronic Disease2015
    Otherdoi:10.5888/pcd12.150096
  32. 32
    Design, Delivery, and Outcomes From an Interprofessional Fall Prevention Course
    J. A. Dauenhauer; S. Glose; C. Watt · Gerontology & Geriatrics Education2015
    Otherdoi:10.1080/02701960.2015.1031891
  33. 33
    Effects of a Community-Based Fall Management Program on Medicare Cost Savings
    E. Ghimire; E. M. Colligan; B. Howell; D. Perlroth; G. Marrufo; E. Rusev; M. Packard · American Journal of Preventive Medicine2015
    Otherdoi:10.1016/j.amepre.2015.07.004
  34. 34
    Promising behavior change techniques in a multicomponent intervention to reduce concerns about falls in old age: A Delphi study
    L. Vestjens; G. I. J. M. Kempen; R. Crutzen; G. Kok; G. A. R. Zijlstra · Health Education Research2015
    Otherdoi:10.1093/her/cyv003
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