Citation

Legh-Smith J, Wade DT, Hewer RL. J. R. Soc. Med. 1986; 79(4): 200-203.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1986, Royal Society of Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

3701764

PMCID

PMC1290273

Abstract

Four hundred and thirty-eight stroke patients from a community register covering a period of 28 months were interviewed at one year post-stroke. Of 144 (34%) living at home who had been driving prior to their stroke, 82 (58%) did not resume post-stroke. Assessments of arm function, walking, functional ability and IQ showed ex-drivers to be significantly more disabled than drivers. Stopping driving was associated with a loss of social activities and with a higher frequency of depression amongst ex-drivers when compared with drivers. This was despite 79% of ex-drivers having easy access to alternative car transport. Extending mobility allowance to the 49 (60%) ex-drivers over 65 years old at the time of their stroke might ease their situation. More appropriate assessments would be needed to establish whether ex-drivers would benefit from retraining or car adaptations to enable them to return to driving.

Language: en