OBJECTIVES: To investigate self and informant ratings of everyday executive functions and their correlation with driving behaviour after acquired brain injury.
METHODS: A 1-year follow-up study of 24 adults with stroke and 10 adults with traumatic brain injury deemed fit to drive after a multidisciplinary driving assessment. Baseline measures included neuropsychological tests and self and informant reports of everyday executive function (Behavior Rating of Executive Function; BRIEF-A). Follow-up measurements were the Swedish Driver Behaviour Questionnaire (DBQ) and Sunnaas Driving Pattern Questionnaire (SDPQ).
RESULTS: Patients' ratings on the BRIEF-A were significantly associated with the DBQ at follow-up, whereas informants' ratings were not. Neither patients' nor informants' reports were associated with accident involvement or the use of compensatory driving strategies. No significant associations were found between level of awareness and driving parameters.
CONCLUSION: Patients' reports of everyday executive functioning were more strongly associated with driving behaviour than were informants' reports. Future studies are warranted to explore how informant and patient reports can contribute to distinguishing safe from unsafe drivers among patient groups with impaired awareness of deficits.