The Planning Strategies for Driving on a Map test (COMAP): Initial validation in stroke patients

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Cognitive Psychology

Background:

• Stroke survivors often experience deficits in strategic predriving planning, impacting their independence.
• Assessing these cognitive skills is crucial for safe driving and effective rehabilitation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate the novel Planning Strategies for Driving on a Map (COMAP) tool for assessing predriving planning in stroke survivors.
• To determine the diagnostic utility of COMAP in identifying stroke-related cognitive impairments.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional observational study involving 41 stroke survivors and 42 healthy controls.
• Participants completed the COMAP and a battery of cognitive tests.
• Data analysis followed COSMIN and STROBE guidelines.

Main Results:

• The COMAP demonstrated good internal consistency (α = .885) and correlated with executive function and memory tests.
• A cutoff score of 59 showed high diagnostic utility (AUC = .829; sensitivity = 78%; specificity = 87%).
• COMAP identified within-group variability in stroke participants and highlighted the importance of strategy use and planning time.

Conclusions:

• The COMAP is a valid and reliable tool for evaluating strategic predriving planning post-stroke.
• It provides valuable clinical insights into executive functioning and compensatory strategies.
• The tool has potential applications in driving rehabilitation and decision-making for stroke patients.