Clinical predictors of driving simulator performance in drivers with multiple sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Transportation Safety

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) can cause visual-cognitive impairments affecting driving ability.
• On-road driving assessments have limitations, necessitating alternative methods to evaluate driving performance.
• The predictive value of clinical indicators for driving simulator outcomes in MS is not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if deficits in immediate verbal/auditory recall (CVLT2-IR) and divided attention (UFOV2) predict driving performance on a simulator.
• To assess these predictions in both drivers with and without MS.
• To evaluate performance across operational, tactical, and strategic driving maneuvers.

Main Methods:

• Participants completed the California Verbal Learning Test-Second Edition (CVLT2-IR) and the Useful Field of View™ (UFOV2).
• A driving simulator assessment evaluated operational, tactical, and strategic driving maneuvers.
• Statistical analyses were performed to determine predictive relationships.

Main Results:

• Deficits in immediate verbal/auditory recall and divided attention predicted adjustment to stimuli errors in tactical maneuvers for drivers with MS.
• The findings were significant for the 36 drivers with MS compared to 20 without MS.

Conclusions:

• The CVLT2-IR and UFOV2 assess key cognitive functions (recall, processing speed, attention) crucial for simulated driving.
• These clinical tests can serve as early indicators of potential driving performance deficits in individuals with MS.
• This research supports the use of specific cognitive assessments for evaluating driving fitness in MS populations.