None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The study will compare the intervention of driving instructor lessons with the use of a driving simulator to undertake driving tasks in order to identify the most effective rehabilitation approach for returning to driving post stroke or traumatic brain injury. This study will identify the most effective rehabilitation approach for returning to driving in order to inform clinical practice.
Interventions
The intervention group will be undertaking 6 x 1 hour simulator sessions (held two times per week for 3 weeks). The intervention involves being seated in the simulator and completing training protocols focussing on areas identified as requiring driver rehabilitation including physical control of the vehicle, observation skills, vehicle positioning, speed control and planning and judgement based on the errors from the On Road assessment conducted with the occupational therapists. A protocol will
The intervention group will be undertaking 6 x 1 hour simulator sessions (held two times per week for 3 weeks). The intervention involves being seated in the simulator and completing training protocols focussing on areas identified as requiring driver rehabilitation including physical control of the vehicle, observation skills, vehicle positioning, speed control and planning and judgement based on the errors from the On Road assessment conducted with the occupational therapists. A protocol will be used during the training sessions; training involves following a set route that is graded in terms of performance demands and driving tasks. These tasks and scenarios encountered on the simulator will be graded in terms of environmental complexity from no or low traffic areas to increased density and visually complex environments. Each route will be directed by an occupational therapist experienced in using the simulator and this therapist will also provide teaching, instruction and feedback about performance. Cueing (such as keep to the left) and feedback provided to participants will be reduced as performance on simulator tasks of participants improve. Intervention adherence will be assessed by the occupational therapist, and strategies will include information provided regarding the direct relevance of training to deficits identified on the on road assessment.
Sponsors
Flinders University
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
17 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Diagnoses of stroke or traumatic brain injury; Meets medical guidelines to return to driving, i.e. more than one month post stroke (or equivalent duration for brain injury), binocular vision of 6/12 and appropriate visual fileds on confrontation testin, Recommended to undertake a practical driving assessment with an Occupational Therapist Have held a full driver's licence and driving prior to stroke/traumatic brain injury Undertaken Occupational Therapy assessment that indicates that they would likely fail an on road assessment and require driving rehabilitation to successfully return to driving.
Exclusion criteria
Does not meet medical guidelines for driving (including visual fields of less than 120 degress with 10 degrees above and below the midline) Experiences language difficulties that mean they cannot independently follow instructions (e.g. of driving instructor or therapist during intervention)
Outcome results
None listed