scholarly journals Protocol for the conceptualization and evaluation of a screening-tool for fitness-to-drive assessment in older people with cognitive impairment

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. e0256262
Author(s):  
Leonhard Zellner ◽  
Florian Herpich ◽  
David Brieber ◽  
Margit Herle ◽  
Peter Zwanzger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Older People ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Screening Tool ◽  
Driving Behavior ◽  
Driving Performance ◽  
Trial Registration ◽  
Driving Safety ◽  
Fitness To Drive ◽  
Great Relevance

Introduction Due to aging and health status people may be subjected to a decrease of cognitive ability and subsequently also a decline of driving safety. On the other hand there is a lack of valid and economically applicable instruments to assess driving performance. Objective The study is designed to develop a valid screening-tool for fitness-to-drive assessment in older people with cognitive impairment externally validated on the basis of on-road driving performance. Methods In a single-centre, non-randomized cross-sectional trial cognitive functioning and on-road-driving-behavior of older drivers will be assessed. Forty participants with cognitive impairment of different etiology and 40 healthy controls will undergo an extensive neuropsychological assessment. Additionally, an on-road driving assessment for external validation of fitness to drive will be carried out. Primary outcome measures will be performance in attention, executive functions and visuospatial tasks that will be validated with respect to performance on the on-road-driving-test. Secondary outcome measures will be sociodemographic, clinical- and driving characteristics to systematically examine their influence on the prediction of driving behavior. Discussion In clinical practice counselling patients with respect to driving safety is of great relevance. Thus, having valid, reliable, time economical and easily interpretable screening-tools on hand to counsel patients is of great relevance for practitioners. Ethics and dissemination Ethics approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich. The trial results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and various conferences. Trial registration 18–640. Trial registration: German Clinical Trials Register. Registration number: DRKS00023549.

scholarly journals Occupational Therapy Interventions to Improve Driving Performance in Older People With Mild Cognitive Impairment or Early-Stage Dementia: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 75 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Spargo ◽  
Kate Laver ◽  
Angela Berndt ◽  
Zoe Adey-Wakeling ◽  
Stacey George
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Older People ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Driving Performance ◽  
Safe Driving ◽  
Therapy Interventions ◽  
Occupational Therapy Interventions

Importance: For a person with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or early-stage dementia, driving is important for independence. However, driving presents safety concerns for both the person and family members. It is important to determine whether occupational therapy interventions can prolong safe driving for this population. Objective: To determine the effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions to improve driving performance in older people with MCI or early-stage dementia. Data Sources: We conducted a search of MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and gray literature using Google Scholar. Study Selection and Data Collection: Studies were included if they evaluated interventions that (1) aimed to improve the driving performance of older people (M age ≥60 yr) with MCI or early-stage dementia and (2) could be designed or delivered by an occupational therapy practitioner who specializes in driving. Citations were reviewed independently by two authors, and quality appraisal was conducted using the Cochrane risk-of-bias guidelines. Findings: One Level I randomized controlled trial (RCT) and 4 Level III quasi-experimental studies were included; these studies had 231 participants in total with reported M ages of 65.6–72.5 yr. One study evaluated a compensatory approach, whereas the others evaluated a remedial approach. The studies used different measures to assess outcomes and reported mixed effects. Conclusions and Relevance: Low strength of evidence suggests that occupational therapy interventions may improve the driving performance of older people with MCI or early-stage dementia. More RCTs are needed that include long-term follow-up measures and address clinically important outcomes. What This Article Adds: In the absence of conclusive evidence from research studies and best practice guidelines, occupational therapy practitioners must rely on their clinical experience and their clients’ abilities. Development of evidence and guidelines in this area is critical. It is also important for practitioners to work closely with clients, families, and interdisciplinary team members to carefully monitor fitness to drive.

scholarly journals Fitness to drive in older drivers with cognitive impairment

2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 480-490 ◽  
Author(s):  
FREDERIEC K. WITHAAR ◽  
WIEBO H. BROUWER ◽  
ADRIAAN H. VAN ZOMEREN
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Traffic Accidents ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Driving Performance ◽  
Older Drivers ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Cognitively Impaired ◽  
Fitness To Drive ◽  
Cognitive Test Performance

This paper is a literature review on assessment of fitness to drive in older drivers with cognitive impairment. Early studies on dementia and driving generally failed to distinguish between safe and unsafe drivers on the basis of cognitive test performance. Predictive studies demonstrated that cognitively impaired persons as a group perform significantly worse than controls on both neuropsychological and driving measures. A high prevalence of cognitive impairment was found in groups of older drivers involved in traffic accidents and crashes. However, a large range in neuropsychological test scores has been found. Low to moderate correlations could be established between neuropsychological test results and on-road driving performance, making it difficult to discriminate between cognitively impaired subjects who are fit or unfit to drive. The review concludes with a discussion of methodological difficulties in the field of dementia and driving, including participant selection, the choice of neuropsychological tests, and the operationalization of driving performance. (JINS, 2000, 6, 480–490.)

Effect of Apolipoprotein E4 on the Driving Behavior of Patients with Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment or Mild Alzheimer’s Disease Dementia

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Evangelia Stanitsa ◽  
Alexandra Economou ◽  
Ion Beratis ◽  
Dionysia Kontaxopoulou ◽  
Stella Fragkiadaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Lateral Position ◽  
Driving Behavior ◽  
Driving Performance ◽  
Traffic Volume ◽  
Apolipoprotein E4 ◽  
Alzheimer’S Disease Dementia

Background: The driving behavior of patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease dementia (ADD) and patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is frequently characterized by errors. A genetic factor affecting cognition is apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4), with carriers of APOE4 showing greater episodic memory impairment than non-carriers. However, differences in the driving performance of the two groups have not been investigated. Objective: To compare driving performance in APOE4 carriers and matched non-carriers. Methods: Fourteen APOE4 carriers and 14 non-carriers with amnestic MCI or mild ADD underwent detailed medical and neuropsychological assessment and participated in a driving simulation experiment, involving driving in moderate and high traffic volume in a rural environment. Driving measures were speed, lateral position, headway distance and their SDs, and reaction time. APOE was genotyped through plasma samples. Results: Mixed two-way ANOVAs examining traffic volume and APOE4 status showed a significant effect of traffic volume on all driving variables, but a significant effect of APOE4 on speed variability only. APOE4 carriers were less variable in their speed than non-carriers; this remained significant after a Bonferroni correction. To further examine variability in the driving performance, coefficients of variation (COV) were computed. Larger headway distance COV and smaller lateral position COV were observed in high compared to moderate traffic. APOE4 carriers had smaller speed COV compared to non-carriers. Conclusion: The lower speed variability of APOE4 carriers in the absence of neuropsychological test differences indicates reduced speed adaptations, possibly as a compensatory strategy. Simulated driving may be a sensitive method for detecting performance differences in the absence of cognitive differences.

scholarly journals Randomised controlled trial of Compensatory Cognitive Training and a Computerised Cognitive Remediation programme

Trials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Frances Dark ◽  
Ellie Newman ◽  
Victoria Gore-Jones ◽  
Veronica De Monte ◽  
Marta I. Garrido ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Cognitive Interventions ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Abstract Background Compensation and adaptation therapies have been developed to improve community functioning via improving neurocognitive abilities in people with schizophrenia. Various modes of delivering compensation and adaptation therapies have been found to be effective. The aim of this trial is to compare two different cognitive interventions, Compensatory Cognitive Training (CCT) and Computerised Interactive Remediation of Cognition–Training for Schizophrenia (CIRCuiTS). The trial also aims to identify if mismatch negativity (MMN) can predict an individual’s response to the compensation and adaptation programmes. Methods This study will use a randomised, controlled trial of two cognitive interventions to compare the impact of these programmes on measures of neurocognition and function. One hundred clinically stable patients aged between 18 and 65 years with a diagnosis of a schizophrenia spectrum disorder will be recruited. Participants will be randomised to either the CCT or the CIRCuiTS therapy groups. The outcome measures are neurocognition (BACS), subjective sense of cognitive impairment (SSTICS), social functioning (SFS), and MMN (measured by EEG) in people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Discussion This trial will determine whether different approaches to addressing the cognitive deficits found in schizophrenia spectrum disorders are of comparable benefit using the outcome measures chosen. This has implications for services where cost and lack of computer technology limit the implementation and dissemination of interventions to address cognitive impairment in routine practice. The trial will contribute to the emerging evidence of MMN as a predictor of response to cognitive interventions. Trial registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) ACTRN12618000161224. Registered on 2 February 2018. Protocol version: 4.0, 18 June 2018.

scholarly journals Predicting On-Road Driving Skills, Fitness to Drive, and Prospective Accident Risk in Older Drivers and Drivers with Mild Cognitive Impairment: The Importance of Non-Cognitive Risk Factors

2021 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 401-414
Author(s):  
Max Toepper ◽  
Philipp Schulz ◽  
Thomas Beblo ◽  
Martin Driessen
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Older Drivers ◽  
Accident Risk ◽  
Fitness To Drive ◽  
Cognitive Predictors ◽  
Driving Skills ◽  
Cognitive Risk ◽  
Cognitive Risk Factors

Background: On-road driving behavior can be impaired in older drivers and particularly in drivers with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Objective: To determine whether cognitive and non-cognitive risk factors for driving safety may allow an accurate and economic prediction of on-road driving skills, fitness to drive, and prospective accident risk in healthy older drivers and drivers with MCI, we examined a representative combined sample of older drivers with and without MCI (N = 74) in an observational on-road study. In particular, we examined whether non-cognitive risk factors improve predictive accuracy provided by cognitive factors alone. Methods: Multiple and logistic hierarchical regression analyses were utilized to predict different driving outcomes. In all regression models, we included cognitive predictors alone in a first step and added non-cognitive predictors in a second step. Results: Results revealed that the combination of cognitive and non-cognitive risk factors significantly predicted driving skills (R2adjusted = 0.30) and fitness to drive (81.2% accuracy) as well as the number (R2adjusted = 0.21) and occurrence (88.3% accuracy) of prospective minor at-fault accidents within the next 12 months. In all analyses, the inclusion of non-cognitive risk factors led to a significant increase of explained variance in the different outcome variables. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that a combination of the most robust cognitive and non-cognitive risk factors may allow an economic and accurate prediction of on-road driving performance and prospective accident risk in healthy older drivers and drivers with MCI. Therefore, non-cognitive risk factors appear to play an important role.

scholarly journals Donepezil for mild cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyoungwon Baik ◽  
Seon Myeong Kim ◽  
Jin Ho Jung ◽  
Yang Hyun Lee ◽  
Seok Jong Chung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Significant Difference

AbstractWe investigated the efficacy of donepezil for mild cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease (PD-MCI). This was a prospective, non-randomized, open-label, two-arm study. Eighty PD-MCI patients were assigned to either a treatment or control group. The treatment group received donepezil for 48 weeks. The primary outcome measures were the Korean version of Mini-Mental State Exam and Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores. Secondary outcome measures were the Clinical Dementia Rating, Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale part III, Clinical Global Impression scores. Progression of dementia was assessed at 48-week. Comprehensive neuropsychological tests and electroencephalography (EEG) were performed at baseline and after 48 weeks. The spectral power ratio of the theta to beta2 band (TB2R) in the electroencephalogram was analyzed. There was no significant difference in the primary and secondary outcome measures between the two groups. However, the treatment group showed a significant decrease in TB2R at bilateral frontotemporoparietal channels compared to the control group. Although we could not demonstrate improvements in the cognitive functions, donepezil treatment had a modulatory effect on the EEG in PD-MCI patients. EEG might be a sensitive biomarker for detecting changes in PD-MCI after donepezil treatment.

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