Driving After Concussion: Clinical Measures Associated With Postconcussion Driving.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• Postconcussion driving assessment is challenging due to the limitations of driving simulators.
• Clinicians require effective tools to guide return-to-driving decisions after concussion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between clinical measures and driving simulator performance in college students within one week of a concussion.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted in a laboratory setting.
• Forty-three college students with concussion and 46 controls were assessed.
• Clinical outcomes included symptom scores, dual-task tandem gait, Complex Figure, Useful Field of View, and Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening (VOMS). Driving simulator outcomes measured collisions, speed exceedances, and lane deviations.

Main Results:

• Greater dual-task cost correlated with increased road-edge excursions and standard deviation of speed (SDS).
• Higher VOMS symptom provocation was linked to less SDS.
• Improved Complex Figure performance (higher copy score, faster completion, higher delayed score) was associated with fewer driving errors like centerline crossings and road-edge excursions.

Conclusions:

• Dual-task and Complex Figure tests show potential utility in assessing postconcussion driving ability.
• VOMS symptom provocation associated with better driving suggests cautious strategies in symptomatic individuals.