Date Presented 03/23/24
The objective is to examine the preexisting deidentified data from a driver rehabilitation program to determine human factors (vision, motor, and cognition) that contribute to driving performance.
Primary Author and Speaker: Michael D. Justiss
Additional Authors and Speakers: Katie Faulk, Bailee Schroeder, Warren Wall, Sierra Smith
IMPORTANCE: Navigating the community is vital for participation in leisure activities, social engagement, work, education, and functional mobility tasks. Currently, in driving rehabilitation literature, there is not a specific gold standard assessment that is routinely performed for each client factor.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the pre-existing de-identified data from the driver rehabilitation program at Brooks Rehabilitation and determine if there is a correlation between the client factors (vision, motor, and cognition) and driving performance. A secondary objective compares the data collected prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and post COVID-19 pandemic in regard to assessment used.
DESIGN: Retrospective Exploratory Analysis Setting: Outpatient Driving Rehabilitation Evaluations Participants: Past Brooks Rehabilitation Driving Rehabilitation participants who presented with visual, cognitive, or motor deficits from the years 2018-2021 (N=558). Outcomes and Measures: Dependent variable: Global Rating Scale (GRS); Independent Variables: Demographics, Diagnosis, License status, ROM, MMT, Visual Assessments, Cognitive Assessments, Physical Assessments, and a Behind-the-Wheel Assessment.
RESULTS: Error Reporting, Bilateral LOG Acuity, Brake Reaction Time, DPT, and Left Grip Strength showed predictability and accounted for 62.2% of variance in our outcome measure of driving performance (GRS). The greatest variance was attributed to Error Reporting (ER). Before COVID-19 the level of pass rates were higher for both GRS and ER compared to during COVID-19.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The information gathered assisted in determining which client factors have the strongest influence on one’s driving performance. Overall, our findings continue to support the importance of driving as an occupation and the continuing needs of adult and older adult drivers.
References
Justiss, M.D., Mann, W.C., Stav, W.B. & Velozo, C. (2006). Development of a behind-the-wheel driving performance assessment for older adults. Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation 22(2): 121-128.
Stav, W.B., Justiss, M.D., McCarthy, D.P., Mann, W.C. & Lanford, D. (2008) Predictability of clinical assessments for driving performance. Journal of Safety Research. 39: 1-7.
Greve, J. M., Santos, L., Alonso, A. C., & Tate, D. G. (2015). Driving evaluation methods for able-bodied persons and individuals with lower extremity disabilities: A review of Assessment Modalities. Clinics, 70(9), 638–647. https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/ 2015(09)08
Anstey, K. J., Wood, J., Lord, S., & Walker, J. G. (2005). Cognitive, sensory and physical factors enabling driving safety in older adults. Clinical Psychology Review, 25(1), 45–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2004.07.008
