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Updated: Jul 15, 2026
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Driving Simulation in the Clinic: Testing Visual Exploratory Behavior in Daily Life Activities in Patients with Visual Field Defects
Published on: September 18, 2012
Effect of simulator training on driving after stroke: a randomized controlled trial
A E Akinwuntan1, W De Weerdt, H Feys
1Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium. aakinwuntan@mcg.edu
Neurology
|September 28, 2005
Summary
Simulator-based driving training improved driving skills for stroke survivors, especially those who are well-educated and less disabled. More participants in the simulator group passed their official driving assessment post-training.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Occupational Therapy
Background:
- Limited evidence supports driving-training programs for neurologically impaired individuals.
- Stroke survivors' driving abilities require effective assessment and rehabilitation strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of simulator-based training on driving performance in subacute stroke patients.
- To compare simulator training with traditional cognitive driving tasks.
Main Methods:
- Eighty-three first-ever subacute stroke patients participated in a 5-week training program.
- Random allocation to either simulator-based training or control (cognitive tasks).
- Driving ability assessed via off-road evaluations, on-road tests, and a 6-9 month predriving assessment.
Main Results:
- Both groups showed significant improvements in cognitive and on-road evaluations.
- Simulator group demonstrated superior improvement in road sign recognition.
- Significantly more participants in the simulator group were deemed fit to drive and passed the official assessment (73% vs. 42%).
Conclusions:
- Simulator-based training enhances driving ability in stroke patients, particularly the well-educated and less disabled.
- Study findings may be influenced by dropouts and natural neurological recovery.
- Simulator training offers a promising avenue for stroke patient driving rehabilitation.
