Citation

Akinwuntan AE, Devos H, Baker K, Phillips K, Kumar V, Smith S, Williams MJ. Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 2014; 95(3): 531-537.

Affiliation

Department of Physical Therapy, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, USA; Department of Neurology, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, USA. Electronic address: aakinwuntan@gru.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.apmr.2013.08.294

PMID

24161271

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the potential to improve driving-related skills using a simulator-based program in persons with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS). DESIGN: Pre-post intervention. SETTING: Georgia Regents University driving simulator lab. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty participants with RRMS and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) values between 1 and 7 were enrolled. Pre- and post-training data from 36 participants' (46 ± 11 years; 30 females) who received training and 6 participants (48 ± 13 years; 5 females) who did not receive training (control group) were compared. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Performance on a road test at pre- and post-training. Secondary outcome measures were performance on visual, physical, and cognitive tests. INTERVENTIONS: Five hours of driving training in a simulator. RESULTS: Overall, no significant differences were observed between the training and control groups before and after training. However, 4 of the 7 participants in the training group who failed the road test at pre-training passed post training while the only participant in the control group who failed at pre-training still failed at post-training. The training group also improved on perception of red and green color, Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test, dot cancellation test of the Stroke Driver Screening Assessment battery and reported less fatigue. These improvements were most pronounced among those with EDSS between 3 and7. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study demonstrates the potential of using a simulator to improve driving-related visual, cognitive, and on-road skills in individuals with RRMS, particularly those with EDSS > 3. Future randomized controlled trials with adequate power are needed to expand this field of study.

Language: en