Article

OBJECTIVE: To determine the potential to improve driving-related skills using a
simulator-based program in persons with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).
DESIGN: Pre-post intervention. SETTING:
A university driving simulator
laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Participants (N=50) with RRMS and Expanded Disability
Status Scale (EDSS) scores between 1 and 7 were enrolled. Pre- and posttraining
data from 36 participants (mean age +/- SD, 46+/-11y; 30 women) who received
training and 6 participants (mean age +/- SD, 48+/-13y; 5 women) who did not
receive training (control group) were compared. INTERVENTIONS: Five hours of
driving training in a simulator. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Performance on a road
test at pre- and posttraining. Secondary outcome measures were performance on
visual, physical, and cognitive tests. RESULTS: Overall, no significant
differences were observed between the training and control groups before and
after training. However, 4 of the 7 participants in the training group who failed
the road test at pretraining passed posttraining, while the only participant in
the control group who failed at pretraining still failed at posttraining. The
training group also improved on perception of red and colored numbers, the Paced
Auditory Serial Addition Test, and the dot cancellation test of the Stroke Driver
Screening Assessment battery and reported less fatigue. These improvements were
most pronounced among those with an EDSS score between 3 and 7. CONCLUSIONS: This
pilot study demonstrates the potential of using a simulator to improve
driving-related visual, cognitive, and on-road skills in individuals with RRMS,
particularly those with an EDSS score >3. Future randomized controlled trials
with adequate power are needed to expand this field of study.
CI - Copyright (c) 2014 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS