SavedAdd your journal

Journals / Turkish Journal of Kinesiology / 2026 / Volume: 12 Issue: 1

Balance-oriented occupational therapy in an older adult with L5-S1 nerve compression: A case report based on functional and cognitive outcomes

Mürüvvet Aydemir(Department of the Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ankara Medipol University, Ankara)0000-0001-7282-770X
Onur Altuntaş(Faculty of Health Sciences, Hacettepe University, Ankara)0000-0002-2403-2096
Pages
—
Publication Date
2026-02-26
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The participant displayed marked limitations in terms of mobility, balance, and cognitive functioning, which had a detrimental effect on daily living activities and overall occupational performance.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This case report presents the outcomes of a balance-oriented occupational therapy intervention in an older adult diagnosed with L5-S1 nerve compression.
📊
Key Findings & Data:The participant displayed marked limitations in terms of mobility, balance, and cognitive functioning, which had a detrimental effect on daily living activities and overall occupational performance.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:The findings emphasise the efficacy of a holistic and customised balance-oriented occupational therapy approach in promoting functional independence and cognitive capacity in older adults afflicted with nerve compression syndromes.
🔬Design:Case Report
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Attention · balance · cognition

Abstract

This case report presents the outcomes of a balance-oriented occupational therapy intervention in an older adult diagnosed with L5-S1 nerve compression. The participant displayed marked limitations in terms of mobility, balance, and cognitive functioning, which had a detrimental effect on daily living activities and overall occupational performance. A comprehensive intervention programme was developed, incorporating task-oriented activities, cognitive stimulation techniques, and balance-focused exercises. These exercises were tailored to the patient's specific needs. The functional outcomes of the participant were assessed using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measurement, the Timed Up and Go Test, the Tinetti Balance and Gait Test, the Tandem Stance Test, and the Fall Efficacy Scale. The cognitive status of the participant was evaluated using the Standardized Mini-Mental Test. The post-intervention results demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements in occupational performance, satisfaction, balance scores, and cognitive functioning. The findings emphasise the efficacy of a holistic and customised balance-oriented occupational therapy approach in promoting functional independence and cognitive capacity in older adults afflicted with nerve compression syndromes.

🔖

Cite This Article

Aydemir, M., Altuntaş, O. (2026). Balance-oriented occupational therapy in an older adult with L5-S1 nerve compression: A case report based on functional and cognitive outcomes. Turkish Journal of Kinesiology, Volume: 12 Issue: 1. https://doi.org/10.31459/turkjkin.1813468

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (36)

  1. Ağırcan, D. (2009). Validity and reliability of Turkish version of tinetti balance and gait assessment Master Thesis, Pamukkale University. Turkish CoHE Thesis Center. https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/tezSorguSonucYeni.jsp
  2. Altuntaş, O., Değerli, M. N. Ö., Temizkan, E., & Ekici, G. (2024). Psychometric properties of te Canadian occupational performance measure in older individuals. Turk J Med Sci, 54(1), 338-347. doi: 10.55730/1300-0144.5796
  3. Azhdar, M., Mirzakhani, N., Irani, A., Baghban, A., Daryabor, A., Sangi, S., & Jah, N. A. (2022). The effect of balance training on cognitive and occupational performance of the elderly. Caspian J Pediatrs, 24(1). doi: 10.22088/jbums.24.1.41
  4. Azimian, M., Yaghoubi, Z., Ahmadi Kahjoogh, M., Akbarfahimi, N., Haghgoo, H. A., & Vahedi, M. (2021). The effect of cognitive rehabilitation on balance skills of individuals with multiple sclerosis. Occup Ther Health Care, 35(1), 93-104. doi: 10.1080/07380577.2021.1871698
  5. Buser, Z., Tekmyster, G., Licari, H., Lantz, J. M., & Wang, J. C. (2021). Team approach: management of an acute L4-L5 disc herniation. JBJS Reviews, 9(10), e21. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.RVW.21.00003
  6. Caglar, E. F., Tutar, M., & Biyikli, T. (2025). Enhancing brain resilience: the synergistic role of cognitive reserve, physical fitness, and psychological well-being in lifelong health and longevity. European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science, 12(4). doi: 10.46827/ejpe.v12i4.5930
  7. Chen, C., Yan, B., He, S., Wu, R., Han, X., Chen, Y., Chen, H., & Xie, L. (2025). Effects of lumbar joint mobilization on trunk control, balance, and gait in patients with stroke: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials, 26, 50. doi: 10.1186/s13063-025-08767-0
  8. Dashner, J., Espín-Tello, S. M., Chen, S.-W., Hollingsworth, H., Bollinger, R., Morgan, K. A., & Stark, S. (2024). Influence of falls, fall-related injuries, and fear of falling on social participation in people aging with long-term physical disability: a cross-sectional study. Disabil Rehabil, 46(21), 4979-4987. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2023.2293990
  9. Elsaid, N. B., Barakat, A. M., & Abdelwanees, S. (2024). Fear of falling and associated factors among elderly people attending outpatients clinics at Menoufia University Hospital. J Epidemiol Glob Health, 8(1), 3-20. doi: 10.21608/efmj.2024.185775.1111
  10. Folstein, M. F., Folstein, S. E., & McHugh, P. R. (1975). “Mini-mental state”: a practical method for grading the cognitive state of patients for the clinician. J Psychiatr Res, 12(3), 189-198. doi: 10.1016/0022-3956(75)90026-6
  11. Gupta, S., Singla, D., & Siddiqui, H. A. (2024). Relationship of dual-task-dynamic-balance with risk-of-fall and gait-parameters in fallers and non-fallers elderly. Phys Occup Ther Geriatr, 42(3), 283-304. doi: 10.1080/02703181.2024.2311089
  12. Güngen, C., Ertan, T., Eker, E., Yaşar, R., & Engin, F. (2002). Reliability and validity of the standardized mini mental state examination in the diagnosis of mild dementia in Turkish population. Turkish Journal of Psychiatry, 13(4), 273-281.
  13. Jane Osareme, O., Muonde, M., Maduka, C. P., Olorunsogo, T. O., & Omotayo, O. (2024). Demographic shifts and healthcare: A review of aging populations and systemic challenges. Int J Sci Res Arch, 11, 383-395. doi: 10.30574/ijsra.2024.11.1.0067
  14. Kawsar, K. A., & Chowdhury, F. H. (2024). Spinal anatomy, mobility, balance, and deformity. Principles of Neurosurgery: A Concise Text, 431. doi: 10.3390/books978-3-0365-6922-2-22
  15. Law, M. C., Baptiste, S., Carswell, A., McColl, M. A., Polatajko, H., & Pollock, N. (1998). Canadian occupational performance measure: COPM. CAOT Publ. ACE.
  16. Li, Q., Cen, W., Yang, T., & Tao, S. (2024). Association between depressive symptoms and sarcopenia among middle-aged and elderly individuals in China: the mediation effect of activities of daily living (ADL) disability. BMC psychiatry, 24(1), 432. doi: 10.1186/s12888-024-05885-y
  17. Mendyka, L., Tobis, S., Talarska-Kulczyk, P., Ryszewska-Łabędzka, D., Strugała, M., Szewczyczak, M., & Talarska, D. (2024). The functional efficiency of older patients after lumbar spine surgery, the impact of pain, and the passage of time: tips for care providers. Healthcare, 12(17), 1684. doi: 10.3390/healthcare12171684
  18. Mitterfellner, R., D’Cunha, N. M., & Isbel, S. (2024). Occupation-based interventions to improve occupational performance among older adults living in long-term care: a systematic review. Am J Occup Ther, 78(1), 7801205140. doi: 10.5014/ajot.2024.050441
  19. Molloy, D. W., & Standish, T. I. (1997). A guide to the standardized Mini-Mental State Examination. International psychogeriatrics, 9(S1), 87-94.
  20. Pain, C. M. (2021). Presented at Physiatry’21. Am J Phys Med Rehabil, 100(4). doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000001696
  21. Parthiban, K., Suganthirababu, P., Srinivasan, V., Kumar, P., Dhanusia, S., Kumaresan, A., & Vishnuram, S. (2024). Effect of task specific training on activities of daily living and functional balance among Parkinson's disease patients: a pilot study. Indian J Physiother Occup Ther, 18, 126-131. doi: 10.37506/4ag15940
  22. Podsiadlo, D., & Richardson, S. (1991). The timed “Up & Go”: a test of basic functional mobility for frail elderly persons. J Am Geriatr Soc, 39(2), 142-148. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1991.tb01616.x
  23. Rodríguez-Almagro, D., Achalandabaso-Ochoa, A., Ibáñez-Vera, A. J., Góngora-Rodríguez, J., & Rodríguez-Huguet, M. (2024). Effectiveness of virtual reality therapy on balance and gait in the elderly: a systematic review. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 12(2), 158. doi: 10.3390/healthcare12020158
  24. Roll, S. C., & Hardison, M. E. (2017). Effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions for adults with musculoskeletal conditions of the forearm, wrist, and hand: a systematic review. Am J Occup Ther, 71(1), 7101180010p1–7101180010p12. doi: 10.5014/ajot.2017.023234
  25. Ryan, C., & O'Neill, A. (2024). Piloting a joint occupational therapy and physiotherapy falls and balance group in an acute older persons’ ward. Age Ageing, 53(Supplement 4), afae178. 277. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afae178.277
  26. Sánchez, Y. M. S., Sánchez, M. A. L., Soto, G. F. F., Reinoso, A. R. M., & Tapia, M. A. S. (2024). Promoting elderly mobility and fall prevention through virtual reality: a sustainable approach to gait balance training. Ibero-American Journal of Education & Society Research, 4(S), 37-45. doi: 10.56183/iberoeds.v4iS.669
  27. Shin, J.-h., Lee, D., Lee, H.-J., & Lee, W.-h. (2025). Revitalizing balance and gait in older adults: insights from a six-week bot fit exercise program at a smart senior welfare center in Seoul. Phys Ther Rehabil Sci, 14(1), 1-11. doi: 10.14474/ptrs.2025.14.1.1
  28. Smithson, F., Morris, M. E., & Iansek, R. (1998). Performance on clinical tests of balance in Parkinson's disease. Phys Ther, 78(6), 577-592. doi: 10.1093/ptj/78.6.577
  29. Thakur, S., Kumar, A., Dijkstra, A., & Thakur, A. (2024). Occupational therapy‐based rehabilitation of sciatic nerve pain. Brain‐X, 2(4), e70010. doi: 10.1002/brx2.70010
  30. Tinetti, M. E., Richman, D., & Powell, L. (1990). Falls efficacy as a measure of fear of falling. J Gerontol, 45(6), P239-P243. doi: 10.1093/geronj/45.6.P239
  31. Torpil, B., Ekici Çağlar, G., Bumin, G., & Pekçetin, S. (2021). Validity and reliability of the Turkish Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM-TR) for people with multiple sclerosis. Occup Ther Health Care, 35(3), 306–317. doi: 10.1080/07380577.2021.1933673
  32. Udoy, M. H., & Hossain, K. A. (2025). Impact of mechanical therapy on lumbar disc health and nerve function in L5/S1 herniation. doi: 10.17504/protocols.io.ewov119o 2vr2/v1
  33. Ulus, Y., Durmus, D., Akyol, Y., Terzi, Y., Bilgici, A., & Kuru, O. (2012). Reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I) in community-dwelling older persons. Arch Gerontol Geriatr, 54(3), 429-433. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2011.06.010
  34. Vásquez-Carrasco, E., Gómez, C. S., Valdés-Badilla, P., Hernandez-Martinez, J., Villagrán-Silva, F., Aravena-Sagardia, P., Sandoval, C., & Miralles, P. M. (2025). Effectiveness of combined cognitive stimulation and physical activity interventions on activities of daily living, cognitive function, and physical function in older people with mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review with meta-analysis. J Clin Med, 14(7), 2261. doi: 10.3390/jcm14072261
  35. Wang, J., Li, Y., Yang, G.-Y., & Jin, K. (2024). Age-related dysfunction in balance: a comprehensive review of causes, consequences, and interventions. Aging Dis, 2024.0124-2021. doi: 10.14336/AD.2024.0124-1
  36. Xiong, W., Wang, D., Ren, W., Liu, X., Wen, R., & Luo, Y. (2024). The global prevalence of and risk factors for fear of falling among older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Geriatr, 24(1), 321. doi: 10.1186/s12877-024-04882-w