Efficacy of an Occupational Therapy Driving Intervention for Returning Combat Veterans

Abstract

Polytrauma, including mild traumatic brain injury, posttraumatic stress disorder, and orthopedic conditions, is common among combat veterans (CVs) from Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Medical conditions, coupled with deployment-related training, may affect CVs' fitness to drive and contribute to post-deployment crash and injury risks. However, empirical interventions are lacking. Therefore, the study purpose was to examine the efficacy of an occupational therapy driving intervention (OT-DI) with pre and post testing of CVs. Using a DriveSafety 250 simulator, Occupational Therapy-Driver Rehabilitation Specialists recorded driving errors. Eight CVs (mean age = 39.83, SD = 7.80) received three OT-DI sessions, which incorporated strategies to address driving errors and visual search retraining. We determined baseline driving errors (mean = 31.63, SD = 8.96) were double the number of posttest errors (mean = 15.38, SD = 9.71). At posttesting, a significant (p < 0.05) decrease was noted for total errors and lane maintenance. Despite study constraints, preliminary data support the efficacy of the OT-DI.

Occupational therapy for military personnel and military veterans experiencing post‐traumatic stress disorder: A scoping review

“…Eight research papers detail the efficacy of interventions (Bracciano et al., 2012; Classen, Cormack, et al, 2014; Classen, Monahan, Canonizado, & Winter, 2014; Krpalek, Achondo, Daher, & Javaherian, 2020; McLaughlin & Hamilton, 2019; Rogers, Mallinson, & Peppers, 2014; Speicher, Walter, & Chard, 2014; Wortman et al., 2018) and two report on occupational performance issues related to military veterans (Dutra, Eakman, & Schelly, 2016; Gregg, Kitzman, & Shordike, 2016). One research paper reported intervention efficacy for military personnel (Beck et al., 2012).…”

“…There were four 2014 research papers located in this review. Classen, Cormack, et al (2014), and Classen, Monahan, et al (2014) reported on occupational therapy driving interventions whereas Rogers et al.’s (2014) sports‐oriented occupational therapy intervention, and the outcomes of a residential treatment programme for veterans with PTSD and TBI by Speicher et al. (2014) were also reviewed.…”

“…Benefits included a decrease in driving errors and increases in visual searching skills. The second driving intervention publication was a pilot study to determine the impact of the occupational therapy driving intervention on driving errors with pre‐ and post‐testing (Classen, Cormack, et al, 2014). For the eight veteran participants, total driving and lane maintenance errors decreased from pre‐testing, illustrating potential efficacy for the occupational therapy driving intervention.…”

Driving Intervention for Returning Combat Veterans

“…Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ). Based on previous findings, we expected minimal occurrence of simulator sickness (SS; Classen, Cormack, et al, 2014). Still, every participant completed the SSQ before and after the acclimation and main drives (Kennedy, Lane, Berbaum, & Lilienthal, 1993).…”

AOTA’s Societal Statement on Stress, Trauma, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

“…The American Journal of Occupational Therapy and strategies to support stabilization, self-regulation, development, attachment, and occupational participation (Champagne, 2011a;Gronski et al, 2013;LeBel & Champagne, 2010). In studies on work with adults, such as active-duty military personnel and veterans, occupational therapy practitioners promoted symptom stabilization, community reintegration, and occupational participation (Classen et al, 2014;Plach & Sells, 2013;Rogers, Mallinson, & Peppers, 2014;Smith-Forbes, Najera, & Hawkins, 2014;Stoller, Greuel, Cimini, Fowler, & Koomar, 2012).…”