Investigating On-Road Lane Maintenance and Speed Regulation in Post-Stroke Driving: A Pilot Case–Control Study

Abstract

Stroke can adversely affect the coordination and judgement of drivers due to executive dysfunction, which is relatively common in the post-stroke population but often undetected. Quantitatively examining vehicle control performance in post-stroke driving becomes essential to inspect whether and where post-stroke older drivers are risky. To date, it is unclear as to which indicators, such as lane keeping or speed control, can differentiate the driving performance of post-stroke older drivers from that of normal (neurotypical) older drivers. By employing a case–control design using advanced vehicle movement tracking and analysis technology, this pilot study aimed to compare the variations in driving trajectory, lane keeping and speed control between the two groups of older drivers using spatial and statistical techniques. The results showed that the mean standard deviation of lane deviation (SDLD) in post-stroke participants was higher than that of normal participants in complex driving tasks (U-turn and left turn) but almost the same in simple driving tasks (straight line sections). No statistically significant differences were found in the speed control performance. The findings indicate that, although older drivers can still drive as they need to after a stroke, the decline in cognitive abilities still imposes a higher cognitive workload and more effort for post-stroke older drivers. Future studies can investigate post-stroke adults’ driving behaviour at more challenging driving scenarios or design driving intervention programs to improve their executive function in driving.

Stroke Recurrence among Stroke Patients Referred for Driving Assessment and Rehabilitation: A Cohort Study

“…Cognitive impairment post-stroke can impair judgement while driving, including maintaining lane discipline performing complex driving tasks (e.g., making U-turns or left-turns) and regulating speed and braking time (16% longer in the stroke group, attributed to deficits in selective attention and motor accuracy) [ 16 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. There is a range of cognitive assessment tools for evaluation post-stroke (most useful being the Stroke Driver Screening Assessment, Trail Making A and B tests, the Rey-Osterreith Complex Figure Design, and the Useful Field of View Test), aided by off-road simulators and on-road assessments [ 22 , 23 ].…”

Effects of Language on Angry drivers’ Situation Awareness, Driving Performance, and Subjective Perception in Level 3 Automated Vehicles

“…The response time (Figure 8) and speed results (Figures 9 and 10) indicate that the driving performance was potentially better in the native agent condition when compared to the English agent condition. Research shows that lower speed standard deviation indicates better speed control and driving performance (Zhou et al, 2021). The standard deviation of speed trends is significantly lower for the native agent condition and this indicates better speed control when compared to the other two conditions.…”

Poststroke Cognitive Impairment Research Progress on Application of Brain-Computer Interface

“…Certain neuropsychological tests (i.e., the Taylor figure test, 7 BioMed Research International choice response test, and head test) were significantly correlated with online accuracy. These results suggest that increasing the level of BCI control in exoskeleton-assisted physical therapy can significantly improve rehabilitation effects after stroke [97]. At the same time, BCI can also monitor the global attention level related to task processes, and monitoring the changes in attention during BCI training can ensure better focus on the current task [98].…”