Citation

Krasniuk S, Classen S, Morrow SA, Alvarez L, He W, Srinivasan S, Monahan M. Mult. Scler. 2021; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1352458521992507

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Drivers with multiple sclerosis (MS) may experience visual-cognitive impairment that affects their fitness to drive. Due to limitations associated with the on-road assessment, an alternative assessment that measures driving performance is warranted. Whether clinical indicators of on-road outcomes can also predict driving performance outcomes on a driving simulator are not fully understood.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined if deficits in immediate verbal/auditory recall (California Verbal Learning Test-Second Edition; CVLT2-IR) and/or slower divided attention (Useful Field of View™; UFOV2) predicted deficits in operational, tactical, or strategic maneuvers assessed on a driving simulator, in drivers with and without MS.

METHODS: Participants completed the CVLT2-IR, UFOV2, and a driving simulator assessment of operational, tactical, and strategic maneuvers.

RESULTS: Deficits in immediate verbal/auditory recall and slower divided attention predicted adjustment to stimuli errors, pertaining to tactical maneuvers only, in 36 drivers with MS (vs 20 drivers without MS; F(3, 51) = 6.1, p = 0.001, R(2) = 0.3, Radj2 = 0.2).

CONCLUSION: The CVLT2-IR and UFOV2 capture the visual and verbal/auditory recall, processing speed, and divided attention required to appropriately adjust to stimuli in a simulated driving environment. Clinicians may use the CVLT2-IR and UFOV2 as precursors to driving performance deficits in drivers with MS.

Language: en

Keywords

computer simulation; driving performance; automobile driving; cognitive impairment; Multiple sclerosis; outcome measurement