Conference Proceeding
Authors: Abiodun E Akinwuntan (School of Health Professions, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS) , Hannes Devos (School of Health Professions, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS) , Deborah Backus (Eula C. and Andrew C. Carlos MS Rehabilitation and Wellness Program, Shepherd Center, Atlanta, GA)
In this prospective cross-sectional study, we investigated the cognitive, visual, and motor deficits underlying poor performance during on-road driving in 102 individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Thirteen specific skills categorized into hierarchic clusters of operational, tactical, visuo-integrative, and mixed driving were assessed during the on-road evaluation. Stepwise regression analysis identified the off-road skills that influenced overall performance on the on-road test and in each cluster. Study results showed that visuospatial function (p=0.002), inhibition (p=0.008), binocular acuity (p=0.04), vertical visual field (p=0.02), and stereopsis (p=0.03) together accounted for the highest variance in total on-road score (R2 =0.37). Attentional shift (p=0.0004), stereopsis (p=0.007), glare recovery (p=0.047), and use of assistive devices (p=0.03) best predicted the operational cluster (R2 =0.28). Visuospatial function p=0.002), inhibition (p=0.002), reasoning (p=0.003), binocular acuity (p=0.04), and stereopsis (p=0.005) best determined the tactical cluster (R2 =0.41). The visuo-integrative model (R2 =0.12) comprised binocular acuity (p=0.007) and stereopsis (p=0.045). Inhibition (p=0.0001) and binocular acuity (p=0.001) provided the best model of the mixed cluster (R2 =0.25). These results provide more insights into the specific impairments that influence different dimensions of on-road driving and may be used as a framework for targeted driving intervention programs in MS.
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How to Cite: Akinwuntan, A. , Devos, H. & Backus, D. (2017) “Determinants of Performance on Specific On-Road Skills in Multiple Sclerosis”, Driving Assessment Conference. 9(2017). doi: https://doi.org/10.17077/drivingassessment.1606