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Citation
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Cisewski JA, Durbin LL, Bond EG, Qian M, Guralnik JM, Kasper J, Mielenz TJ. Phys. Ther. 2019; 99(7): 862-869. |
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Abstract
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BACKGROUND: Driving a motor vehicle is an important aspect of mobility for older adults. Limited lower extremity functioning performance, as measured by the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), has been associated with various negative health outcomes, but little is known about the association of SPPB scores with driving status.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether lower (poorer) SPPB scores are associated with an increased rate for being a current nondriver among a nationally representative sample of community-dwelling older adults.
DESIGN: The National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) is a longitudinal cohort study.
METHODS: A population of 5,935 participants, surveyed annually from 2011 to 2014 for NHATS, was used to examine the relationship between SPPB and driving status. Using weighted data, multivariable Poisson regression with generalized estimating equations (GEE) was used to calculate the rate ratios, adjusting for covariates and clustering due to the complex survey design.
RESULTS: Participants with a poor SPPB score (0-5) had a rate for being a current nondriver 2.01 times the rate (or 101% increase) of those with a good SPPB score (10-12) (adjusted 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.78-2.26). LIMITATIONS: Current nondrivers were not asked whether they planned to resume driving if they had not driven in the previous year.
CONCLUSIONS: Poorer SPPB scores (poorer lower extremity functioning) are significantly associated with an increased rate of being a current nondriver and are a modifiable risk factor, unlike other factors such as cognitive decline. Further research is needed to examine whether optimum exercises and other physical therapy interventions focused on improving lower extremity strength and balance ultimately improves driving outcomes.
© 2019 American Physical Therapy Association.
Language: en |