Interventions for resuming driving after traumatic brain injury

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Occupational Therapy

Background:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can significantly impair driving abilities.
• Many individuals with TBI fail initial occupational therapy (OT) driver assessments.
• Returning to driving is crucial for independence and quality of life after TBI.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the objectives, methods, resources, and results of on-road training for drivers with TBI who did not pass their initial OT driver assessment.
• To identify factors influencing successful return to driving after TBI.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive cohort study involving a file audit of 340 drivers with mild to severe TBI.
• Data collected included number and goals of training lessons, reassessments, time to independent driving, license restrictions, and impairment details.

Main Results:

• 72% of drivers passed the initial OT assessment.
• Of those who failed (28%), 93% resumed driving after on-road training, with 48% receiving restricted licenses.
• On average, drivers needed 7 lessons and 2.5 reassessments, with goals focused on cognitive compensation, skill improvement, and confidence building.

Conclusions:

• On-road training, tailored to individual goals and followed by reassessment, facilitates a successful return to driving for individuals with TBI.
• Restricted licenses can be a valuable tool for enabling safe driving resumption.
• Driver rehabilitation specialists should provide targeted on-road training for TBI survivors who fail initial assessments.