Learning to drive with neurological conditions: profile of users of an adapted driver training program and cognitive factors associated with success.

PURPOSE: To describe the sociodemographic and cognitive profile of participants enrolled in an adapted driving program for individuals with neurological conditions, to explore the association between cognitive functioning and driving program outcome, and to describe driving habits after program completion. METHODS: This study combined retrospective chart review and cross-sectional data collection. RESULTS: The sample included 71 participants with neurological disorders (aged 15-56 years, M = 22.2 ± 8.6; 39% women). Driving program was either successful (47%), failed (7%), discontinued (34%), or ongoing (13%). Among 35 participants with complete neuropsychological and driving program outcome data, those who successfully completed the program showed better attention functioning, and better performance relative to global functioning for attention, executive functions, and working memory, compared to those who discontinued/failed the program. Among 21 participants who completed a telephone questionnaire on average 3.7 years after program enrollment, 67% obtained their driver's license and drove regularly. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with the program. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that approximately half of the persons enrolled in a driver training program designed for learners with neurological conditions, obtain a driver's license; and that attention, and to a lesser extent executive functioning and working memory, are related to driving program success.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONIn individual with neurological conditions, learning how to drive can be challenging.An adapted driver training program, involving collaboration between driving instructors and healthcare professionals, simplification of theoretical learning, and increasing driving practice opportunities, can be effective, both in terms of licensing success and client satisfaction.Conducting a pre-driving program neuropsychological assessment, with identification of cognitive strengths and weaknesses, can provide valuable information for clinicians and driving instructors for optimizing training and predicting outcome.Better performance in attention, and better relative to global cognitive functioning in attention, executive functions, and working memory, are related to higher success rate of an adapted driving program.

Use of smartphones and tablets after acquired brain injury to support cognition.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the use of mobile devices after acquired brain injury (ABI), from the perspectives of injured individuals and significant others, and to examine factors associated with mobile device use for cognition. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with 50 adults with moderate/severe traumatic brain injury or stroke (42% women; mean of 50.7 years old, 4.6 years post-ABI), and 24 significant others. Participants completed questionnaires on mobile technology, cognitive functioning and the impact of technology. RESULTS: Of 45/50 adults with ABI who owned a smartphone/tablet, 31% reported difficulties in using their device post-injury, 44% had received support, and 46% were interested in further training. Significant others reported motor/visual impairments and the fear of becoming dependent on technology as barriers for mobile device use, and 65% mentioned that their injured relative needed additional support. Mobile device use for cognition was common (64%), predicted in a regression model by lower subjective memory and more positive perception of the psychosocial impacts of technology, and also associated in univariate analyses with younger age, lower executive functioning, and greater use of memory strategies. CONCLUSION: Using mobile devices for cognition is common post-ABI but remains challenging for a significant proportion. Developing training approaches may help supporting technology use.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONUsing mobile electronic devices (smartphones and tablets) is common after acquired brain injury (ABI) but is challenging for a significant proportion of individuals.After the ABI, close to 50% of individuals receive support in using their mobile device, mostly from family members and friends, but rarely from rehabilitation clinicians or technology specialists.In a sample of 50 adults with ABI, more frequent use of mobile devices to support cognition was associated with poorer subjective memory and executive functioning, greater use of memory strategies, more positive perception of the psychosocial impacts of technology, and younger age.