Citation

Bachar Y, Karpin H, Dror G, Lieberman L, Dvir D, Ratzon N. Harefuah 2018; 157(9): 556-560.

Affiliation

Occupational Therapy Department, Reuth Medical and Rehabilation Center, Tel Aviv.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Israel Medical Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

30221853

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Driving is an essential part of occupational performance. In determining potential driving competence, there is a lack of screening tools to ascertain who should be referred for further assessment in Occupational Therapy or at the Medical Institute for Road Safety. AIMS: To assess the relationship between executive-function, daily-functions and driving behavior measures in unimpaired and neurologically impaired populations.

BACKGROUND: Although the research findings were not statistically significant, the trend points to the correlation between executive-function measures and self-report driving ability. Road sign recognition tests and daily-functions were found to be potential screening tools for assessing driving potential, but a larger sample size is recommended to confirm results.

METHODS: An exploratory study that included 19 subjects - 10 without neurological impairments - and 9 post-stroke. Self-report questionnaires on driving ability, executive-functions and daily-function were administered. Post-stroke subjects were also assessed on road sign recognition.

RESULTS: The research hypothesis was not confirmed. Three moderately correlated but statistically insignificant correlations were found: in unimpaired subjects between the driving self-report and functional status; in post-stroke subjects - between the driving self-report and self-monitoring and behavioral-regulation skills and in the road sign recognition tests - between executive and daily-function measures.

CONCLUSIONS: If the trends were strengthened in a larger sample size the use of driving behavior self-report questionnaires, executive-function, daily-function and road sign recognition tests as screening tools for the unimpaired and post-stroke populations would be effective/recommended.

DISCUSSION: Present findings of correlations between self-report of driving skills and behavioral regulation skills confirm previous research findings.

Language: he