title: Simulator Measures and Identification of Older Drivers With Mild Cognitive Impairment.
abstract: This study examined whether a sign recall task on a driving simulator, self-report of driving ability, or age predicted differences in performance between drivers with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and control participants. For the dependent measure, gathered using a driving simulator, working memory was subjected to interference at varying levels of driving task demands. Reliable between-groups differences in sign recall accuracy were demonstrated; recall declined under higher task demands. Recall scores, self-reported frequency of avoiding driving, and driver age did not predict MCI; only self-reported decline in global driving ability was significant. Findings support the use of driving simulators in practice and suggest that screening for age-related cognitive impairment should incorporate self-reported changes in driving proficiency for early identification of drivers who merit medical review. The results, although exploratory, have implications for practitioners.
authors.affiliation: Sophia Vardaki, PhD, is Senior Researcher, Department of Transportation Planning and Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece; sophiav@central.ntua.gr.
authors.forename: Sophia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vardaki
authors.affiliation: Anne E. Dickerson, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC.
authors.forename: Anne E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Dickerson
authors.affiliation: Ion Beratis, MSc, PhD, is Neuropsychologist, 2nd Department of Neurology, Attikon General University Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Ion
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Beratis
authors.affiliation: George Yannis, PhD, is Associate Professor, Department of Transportation Planning and Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yannis
authors.affiliation: Sokratis G. Papageorgiou, MD, PhD, is Associate Professor of Neurology, Department of Neurology, Attikon General University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Sokratis G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Papageorgiou