Traumatic brain injury and driving assessment: an evidence-based literature review

Am J Occup Ther. 2009 Sep-Oct;63(5):580-91. doi: 10.5014/ajot.63.5.580.

Abstract

Objective: We conducted a literature review of assessment tools predicting driving performance for people with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Method: Data sources were Web of Science, EBSCOhost, PubMed, and recently published literature from experts and team members not yet catalogued in the databases. We used the American Academy of Neurology's classification criteria to extract data from 13 studies, and we assigned a class (I-IV, with I being the highest level of evidence) to each study. We grouped primary studies into categories of driving assessment (neuropsychological; simulator; off-road; self-report, other report, and postinjury disability status; and comprehensive driving evaluation) and synthesized the predictability of these tools as it relates to driving performance for people with TBI.

Conclusions: To assist clinicians and researchers in making decisions regarding testing the driving performance of people with TBI, we provide recommendations for neuropsychological tests; off-road tests; self-report, other report, and postinjury disability status; and comprehensive driving evaluation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Automobile Driving*
  • Brain Injuries / physiopathology
  • Brain Injuries / rehabilitation*
  • Decision Making
  • Humans
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Task Performance and Analysis