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Neuropsychological Predictors of Driving Errors in Older Adults
- Source :
- Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. June, 2010, Vol. 58 Issue 6, p1090, 7 p.
- Publication Year :
- 2010
-
Abstract
- To authenticate to the full-text of this article, please visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2010.02872.x Byline: Jeffrey D. Dawson (*[dagger]), Ergun Y. Uc ([dagger][double dagger]), Steven W. Anderson ([dagger]), Amy M. Johnson (*[dagger]), Matthew Rizzo ([dagger]s.[parallel]) Keywords: neuropsychological tests; cognitive decline; safety errors; instrumented vehicle Abstract: OBJECTIVES: To identify neuropsychological factors associated with driving errors in older adults. DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational study. SETTING: Neuropsychological assessment laboratory and an instrumented vehicle on a 35-mile route on urban and rural roads. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred eleven older adult drivers (aged 65-89; mean age 72.3) and 80 middle-aged drivers (aged 40-64; mean age 57.2). MEASUREMENTS: Explanatory variables included age, neuropsychological measures (cognitive, visual, and motor), and a composite cognitive score (COGSTAT). The outcome variable was the safety error count, as classified according to video review using a standardized taxonomy. RESULTS: Older drivers committed an average of 35.8 [+ or -] 12.8 safety errors per drive, compared with an average of 27.8 [+ or -] 9.8 for middle-aged drivers (P CONCLUSION: Driving errors in older adults tend to increase, even in the absence of neurological diagnoses. Age-related decline in cognitive abilities, vision, and motor skills can explain some of this increase. Changes in visuospatial and visuomotor abilities appear to be particularly associated with unsafe driving in old age. Author Affiliation: (*)Department of Biostatistics ([dagger])Division of Neuroergonomics, Department of Neurology (s.)Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering ([parallel])Public Policy Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa ([double dagger])Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, Iowa. Article note: Address correspondence to Jeffrey D. Dawson, Department of Biostatistics, University of Iowa College of Public Health, 200 Hawkins Dr., C-22 GH, Iowa City, IA 52242. E-mail: jeffrey-dawson@uiowa.edu
- Subjects :
- Mechanical engineering
Aged
Health
Seniors
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00028614
- Volume :
- 58
- Issue :
- 6
- Database :
- Gale General OneFile
- Journal :
- Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
- Publication Type :
- Periodical
- Accession number :
- edsgcl.227850374