Cognitive training decreases motor vehicle collision involvement of older drivers.
OBJECTIVE
To test the effects of cognitive training on subsequent motor vehicle collision (MVC) involvement of older drivers.


METHODS
Randomized, controlled, multisite, single-blind clinical trial.


METHODS
Community-dwelling seniors at four U.S. sites: Birmingham, Alabama; Baltimore, Maryland; Indianapolis, Indiana; and State College, Pennsylvania.


METHODS
Nine hundred eight older drivers (mean age 73.1; 18.6% African American) who were randomized to one of three cognitive interventions or a control condition.


METHODS
Up to 10 sessions of cognitive training for memory, reasoning, or speed of processing.


METHODS
State-recorded MVC involvement up to 6 years after study enrollment.


RESULTS
Speed-of-processing and reasoning training resulted in lower rates of at-fault collision involvement over the subsequent approximately 6-year period than controls. After adjusting for age, sex, race, education, mental status, health, vision, depressive symptoms, and testing site, participants randomized to the speed-of-processing and reasoning interventions had an approximately 50% lower rate (per person-mile) of at-fault MVCs than the control group (rate ratio (RR) = 0.57, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.34-0.96 for speed of processing), and (RR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.27-0.92 for reasoning). There was no significant difference observed for the memory group.


CONCLUSIONS
Cognitive speed-of-processing and reasoning training resulted in a lower at-fault MVC rate in older drivers than in controls. Considering the importance of driving mobility, the costs of crashes, and the benefits of cognitive training, these interventions have great potential to sustain independence and quality of life of older adults. More research is needed to understand the effects of different types and quantities of training.
Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.
Karlene
K
Ball
Jerri D
JD
Edwards
Lesley A
LA
Ross
Gerald
G
McGwin
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016037:Single-Blind Method