title: Effectiveness of a visual attention retraining program on the driving performance of clients with stroke.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effectiveness of a visual attention retraining program using the Useful Field of View (UFOV) with a traditional visuoperception treatment program on the driving performance of clients with stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rehabilitation hospital located in Quebec, Canada.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-seven individuals referred for driving evaluation after a stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were randomized to receive 20 sessions of either UFOV training of visual processing speed, divided attention, and selective attention or traditional computerized visuoperception retraining.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects were evaluated with an on-road driving evaluation, visuoperception tests, and the Test of Everyday Attention. An occupational therapist unaware of group assignment conducted all evaluations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-four participants completed the outcome evaluation. There were no significant differences between groups on any of the outcome measures. There was, however, almost a 2-fold increase (52.4% vs 28.6%) in the rate of success on the on-road driving evaluation after UFOV training for subjects with right-sided lesions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rehabilitation that targets visual attention skills was not significantly more beneficial than traditional perceptual training in improving the outcome of an on-road driving evaluation. However, results suggest a potential improvement for subjects with right-sided lesions, indicating that training must target specific skills.
authors.affiliation: Centre de Recherche Interdisciplinaire en Réadaptation, Laval, QC, Canada. barbara.mazer@mail.mcguill.ca
authors.forename: Barbara L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Mazer
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sofer
authors.forename: Nicol
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Korner-Bitensky
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gelinas
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hanley
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wood-Dauphinee
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D001333:Automobile Driver Examination; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000193:education*; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011930:Reaction Time; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014787:Vision Tests; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*