|
Citation
|
Cordes C, Heutink J, Tucha OM, Brookhuis KA, Brouwer WH, Melis-Dankers BJ. J. Rehabil. Med. 2017; 49(3): 270-276. |
|
Affiliation
|
, Clinical and developmental neuropsychology, University of Groningen, 9712TS Groningen, The Netherlands. c.cordes@rug.nl. |
|
Abstract
|
OBJECTIVE: To investigate practical fitness to drive mobility scooters, comparing visually impaired participants with healthy controls.
DESIGN: Between-subjects design. SUBJECTS: Forty-six visually impaired (13 with very low visual acuity, 10 with low visual acuity, 11 with peripheral field defects, 12 with multiple visual impairment) and 35 normal-sighted controls.
METHODS: Participants completed a practical mobility scooter test-drive, which was recorded on video. Two independent occupational therapists specialized in orientation and mobility evaluated the videos systematically.
RESULTS: Approximately 90% of the visually impaired participants passed the driving test. On average, participants with visual impairments performed worse than normal-sighted controls, but were judged sufficiently safe. In particular, difficulties were observed in participants with peripheral visual field defects and those with a combination of low visual acuity and visual field defects.
CONCLUSION: People with visual impairment are, in practice, fit to drive mobility scooters; thus visual impairment on its own should not be viewed as a determinant of safety to drive mobility scooters. However, special attention should be paid to individuals with visual field defects with or without a combined low visual acuity. The use of an individual practical fitness-to-drive test is advised.
Language: en |