Citation

Yuen HK, Gillespie MB, Day TA, Morgan L, Burik JK. Head Neck 2007; 29(7): 675-681.

Affiliation

Occupational Therapy Educational Program, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, 77 President St. P. O. Box 250700, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. yuen@musc.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/hed.20567

PMID

17274048

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to explore the driving behaviors of head and neck cancer patients during and after cancer therapy. METHODS: Eighty-three patients completed a questionnaire related to driving behaviors. RESULTS: The survey revealed that 67.5% of respondents reported that they drove less or stopped driving during cancer therapy, and 26.5% continued to drive less or stopped driving after the completion of cancer therapy. Respondents typically reported greater concern about driving and relied more on other people for transportation during and after cancer therapy than before their diagnosis. Results indicated that the odds for self-restricted driving after cancer therapy were higher for those who were more concerned about driving under challenging driving situations and perceived impaired cognitive function that affected their driving ability. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that perceived impairment resulting from cancer therapy has a significant impact on head and neck cancer patients' driving behaviors.

Language: en