The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two methods of assessing off-road driving skills that claim to predict on-road driving fitness of persons with stroke. Fifty-six persons with stroke (age 44 to 82 years; mean, 60.2 years) completed the 2 off-road driving assessments along with standard clinical and on-road driving tests. Main outcome measure was a linear stepwise regression on 4 variables of the Dynavision Performance Assessment Battery (DPAB), the Cognitive Behavioural Driver's Inventory (CBDI) variable (composite score), and the variables of age, gender and lesion side. A 4-minute endurance subtest from the DPAB was superior to the CBDI in predicting success/failure in the on-road driving test (75%). However, success on both the 4-minute endurance subtest from the DPAB and the CBDI tests significantly improved the prediction of on-road success. If participants passed the CBDI and the endurance test from the DPAB, they also passed the on-road assessment. It is concluded that driving fitness of elderly persons with stroke can be assessed with reasonable accuracy using off-road tests, minimising the expense and risk associated with on-road assessments in this population. (A)
Samenvatting