Driving after cerebral ischemia--a driving simulator investigation.
Stroke patients with relevant deficits are not allowed to drive. This study tended to assess driving abilities in an early stage after cerebral ischemia with a driving simulator.


METHODS
32 patients (aged 54.9 +/- 14.8 years) with acute ischemia in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) (n = 24) and in the vertebral artery (VA) (n = 8) were investigated with reaction tests and a driving simulator. Controls were 12 healthy volunteers (aged 50.0 +/- 13.9 years).


RESULTS
Compared to controls, the accident rate was increased only in patients with MCA-ischemia (2.9 +/- 3.6 vs. 1.3 +/- 1.4, p < 0.05). These patients also had poorer results in the driving simulator (p < 0.05) than patients with VA-ischemia. Driving simulator performance and neuropsychological test results did not correlate.


CONCLUSIONS
All patients had only mild deficits and stated themselves able to drive. We could demonstrate the need to focus on driving skills especially in patients with MCA-infarctions. The driving simulator assesses various physical and neuropsychological functions influencing driving. It may especially be used for expert opinions regarding driving licence. It can also serve as a pre-driver evaluation before on road driving tests.
Kotterba
Sylvia
S
Department of Neurology, University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Bochum, Germany. Sylvia.kotterba@ruhr-uni-bochum.de
Widdig
Walter
W
Brylak
Stefan
S
Orth
Maritta
M
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001333:Automobile Driver Examination; D001334:Automobile Driving; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014715:Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000534:rehabilitation