Retraining Moderately Impaired Stroke Survivors in Driving-Related Visual Attention Skills
By Akinwuntan, Abiodun E.; Devos, Hannes; Verheyden, Geert; Baten, Guido; Kiekens, Carlotte; Feys, Hilde; De Weerdt, Willy; Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation, Vol. 17, No. 5, pp. 328-336Publication Date: September/October 2010
Study investigated the effects of 2 training programs on stroke survivors’ performance in the Useful Field of View (UFOV), a validated test of driving-related visual attention skills. Participants were 69 moderately impaired survivors of a first stroke who participated in a randomized controlled trial to determine the effects of simulator training on driving after stroke. In addition to regular interventions at a rehabilitation center, participants in a 33 member experimental group received 15 hours of simulator based driving-related training, while the 36 members in a control group received non-computer based cognitive training over 5 weeks. Total percentage reduction in UFOV and performance in divided and selective attention and speed of processing subtests were documented pre training at 6 to 9 weeks, post training at 11 to 15 weeks, and at follow-up 6 months post stroke. A generalized estimating equation (GEE) model used to evaluate the differences in improvements from pre- through posttraining to follow-up revealed neither group effects nor significant interaction effects of group with time in the UFOV total score and its subtests. However, there were significant within-group improvements from pre- through posttraining to follow-up for all the UFOV parameters. Post-hoc GEE analysis revealed that most improvement in both groups occurred from pre- to posttraining. The training programs were shown to be equally effective. Study limitations and implications for future research are discussed.
Published by: Thomas Land Publishers, Inc. (Website:http://www.thomasland.com)
National Stroke Association (Web Site: http://www.stroke.org )
