Clemson 2004.

Study characteristics
Methods	RCT. Randomised in blocks of 4 stratified by sex and number of falls in previous 12 months
Participants	Setting: Sydney, Australia N = 310 Sample: volunteer community‐dwelling men and women recruited by various strategies (74% women) Age (years): mean 78 (SD 5) Inclusion criteria: aged ≥ 70; community‐dwelling; fallen in past year or felt themselves to be at risk of falling. Exclusion criteria: dementia (> 3 errors on Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire); homebound; unable to independently leave home; unable to speak English
Interventions	Both groups received baseline assessment at home before randomisation 1. Stepping On programme. Multifaceted small‐group (N = 12) learning environment to encourage self efficacy, behaviour change, and reduce falls using decision‐making theory and a variety of learning strategies. Facilitated by OT. 2 hours per wk, for 7 wks; taught exercises and practised in classes. OT home visit within 6 wks of final programme session; booster session 3 months after final session. 2. Control: at least 2 social visits from student OT with no discussion of falls or fall prevention
Outcomes	1. Rate of falls 2. Number of people falling
Duration of the study	14 months
Notes	Details of programme in Appendix A of Clemson 2004: risk appraisal, exercise, moving safely, home hazards, community safety, footwear, vision and falls, vitamin D, hip protectors, medication management, mobility mastery, review and plan
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Random sequence generation (selection bias)	Unclear risk	Quote: "Randomised by researcher not involved in subject screening or assessment". Method not described.
Allocation concealment (selection bias)	Unclear risk	Insufficient information to permit judgement
Blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias) All outcomes	Unclear risk	Study participants and personnel not blinded, but staff visiting control group instructed not to discuss falls or fall prevention
Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias) Falls and fallers	Unclear risk	All participants used monthly calendar; telephone contact if not returned in 2 weeks. Blinding of study personnel recording data from the calendars not described.
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) Falls	Unclear risk	SeeAppendix 3 for method of assessment. Insufficient information to permit judgement.
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) Fallers	Low risk	SeeAppendix 3 for method of assessment
Risk of bias in recall of falls	Low risk	Prospective. Monthly falls postcard calendar.