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Published on: September 18, 2012
Driving with Parkinson's Disease: Exploring Lived Experience
Jeffrey D Holmes1, Liliana Alvarez1, Andrew M Johnson2
1School of Occupational Therapy, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
Parkinson'S Disease
|March 12, 2019
Summary
Parkinson's disease (PD) significantly impacts driving, affecting independence and mobility. Understanding the lived experiences of PD patients is crucial for developing tailored driving support and retirement programs.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Occupational Therapy
- Gerontology
Background:
- Growing literature examines Parkinson's disease (PD) effects on driving fitness.
- Clinical tests and driving errors predict on-road outcomes in PD patients.
- Limited understanding exists regarding the lived experiences of PD individuals concerning driving cessation, independence, and mobility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the lived experiences of individuals with Parkinson's disease related to driving.
- To identify themes associated with driving impairments, cessation, and community mobility in PD.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative secondary data analysis of transcribed interviews.
- Summative content analysis of data from nineteen community-dwelling individuals with PD.
- Identification of emergent themes related to driving experiences.
Main Results:
- Five key themes emerged: the significance of driving, driving cessation, modified driving behaviors, factors influencing driving, and accessibility.
- Participants emphasized driving's importance for both direct activity and enabling other life pursuits.
- Driving was identified as a critical factor for maintaining independence and community participation.
Conclusions:
- Driving is a highly significant activity for individuals with Parkinson's disease, impacting independence and mobility.
- Findings support the development of client-centered, evidence-informed driving interventions and retirement programs for PD.
- Further research into the psychosocial aspects of driving cessation in PD is warranted.
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