Driving and visual deficits in stroke patients

The aim of the present study was to conduct an exploratory assessment of visual impairment following stroke, and to discuss the possibilities of reintroducing patients to the activity of driving.

Methods:

The Useful Field of View test was used to assess visual processing and visual attention.

Results:

A total of 18 patients were included in the study, and were assigned to either the drive group (n = 9) or the intention group (n = 9). In the drive group, one patient was categorized as moderate-to-high risk; whereas, in the intention group, one patient was categorized as low-to-moderate risk. Additionally, two patients in the intention group were categorized as high risk. The patients did not perceive their visual deficits as a limitation.

Conclusion:

Visual attention is an interference factor in terms of the safe performance of driving after a stroke. All patients showed a high level of interest for the independence provided through being able to drive.

Keywords:
stroke; automobile driving; accidents, traffic

Patient	Group	Risk	Processing speed and central vision	Divided attention	Selective attention
P1	IG	Very low	17.4	34.9	141.6
P2	IG	Very low	18.4	31.5	34.9
P3	DG	Very low	17.7	18.2	215.0
P4	IG	Very low	14.8	75.5	78.2
P5	DG	Very low	17	17	211.6
P6	IG	Very low	14.9	23	58.2
P7	DG	Very low	14.8	17.2	111.5
P8	IG	High	71.5	371.6	500
P9	DG	Very low	14.8	38	91
P10	DG	Low	14.8	218	218
P11	DG	Very low	14.8	14.8	101.5
P12	IG	High	71.5	500	500
P13	IG	Very low	14.8	14.9	51.5
P14	DG	Moderate-to-high	14	500	500
P15	IG	Very low	14.8	48.2	48.2
P16	IG	Low-to-moderate	28.2	264.9	441.6
P17	DG	Very low	14	18	28
P18	DG	Low	14.8	118.2	118.2

Risk^* * p = 0.46, Mann Whitney-U Test	IG	DG
Very low	6	6
Low	0	2
Low-to-moderate	1	0
Moderate-to-high	0	1
High	2	0

Variable^* * All variables are presented as median (1st–3rd interquartile);	IG	DG	P^ Mann Whitney–U Test.
Processing speed and central vision	17.4 (48.2–78.2)	14.0 (38.0–154.5)	0.094
Divided attention	48.2 (31.5–264.9)	38.0 (18.0–75.2)	0.161
Selective attention	78.2 (51.5–441.6)	15.5 (218.0–288.5)	0.666

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[1] Correspondence: Renato Nickel; Universidade Federal do Paraná, Campus Botânico | Bloco Didático II; Av. Prefeito Lothário Meissner, 632; 80210-170 Curitiba PR, Brasil; E-mail: renatonickel@hotmail.com.