title: A novel computer test to assess driving-relevant cognitive functions--a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The assessment of driving-relevant cognitive functions in older drivers is a difficult challenge as there is no clear-cut dividing line between normal cognition and impaired cognition and not all cognitive functions are equally important for driving.
  
  
  METHODS
  To support decision makers, the Bern Cognitive Screening Test (BCST) for older drivers was designed. It is a computer-assisted test battery assessing visuo-spatial attention, executive functions, eye-hand coordination, distance judgment, and speed regulation. Here we compare the performance in BCST with the performance in paper and pencil cognitive screening tests and the performance in the driving simulator testing of 41 safe drivers (without crash history) and 14 unsafe drivers (with crash history).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Safe drivers performed better than unsafe drivers in BCST (Mann-Whitney U test: U = 125.5; p = 0.001) and in the driving simulator (Student's t-test: t(44) = -2.64, p = 0.006). No clear group differences were found in paper and pencil screening tests (p > 0.05; ns). BCST was best at identifying older unsafe drivers (sensitivity 86%; specificity 61%) and was also better tolerated than the driving simulator test with fewer dropouts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  BCST is more accurate than paper and pencil screening tests, and better tolerated than driving simulator testing when assessing driving-relevant cognition in older drivers.
authors.affiliation: Gerontechnology and Rehabilitation Group, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Rahel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bieri
authors.affiliation: Gerontechnology and Rehabilitation Group, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jäger
authors.affiliation: Gerontechnology and Rehabilitation Group, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gruber
authors.affiliation: Gerontechnology and Rehabilitation Group, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nef
authors.affiliation: Gerontechnology and Rehabilitation Group, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: René M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Müri
authors.affiliation: Gerontechnology and Rehabilitation Group, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Urs P
authors.initials: UP
authors.lastname: Mosimann
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged; D001143:Arousal; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000523:psychology*; D003071:Cognition; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003657:Decision Making; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012372:ROC Curve; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis