Cognitive speed of processing training delays driving cessation.
BACKGROUND
As our population ages, interventions that can prolong safe driving for older adults will be increasingly important.


METHODS
Data from two studies were combined in order to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive training in delaying driving cessation. Stratified Cox hazard regressions were used to examine risk of driving cessation as a function of training participation, baseline driving, and visual acuity.


RESULTS
Older drivers with cognitive speed of processing difficulties who completed speed of processing training were 40% less likely to cease driving over the subsequent 3 years (hazard ratio = 0.596, 95% confidence interval 0.356-0.995, p = .048). Whereas 14% of older drivers who did not receive speed of processing training ceased driving, only 9% of those who completed eight or more sessions of speed of processing training ceased driving.


CONCLUSIONS
Speed of processing training may delay driving cessation among older drivers with speed of processing difficulty.
Edwards
Jerri D
JD
School of Aging Studies, University of South Florida, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, MHC 1340, Tampa, FL 33620, USA. jedwards1@bcs.usf.edu
Delahunt
Peter B
PB
Mahncke
Henry W
HW
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000517:prevention & control; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011930:Reaction Time; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014796:Visual Perception