Driving Simulator Training For Adults With Acquired Brain Injuries

Use Of Driving Simulator To Provide Pre-Driving Training For Adults With Acquired Brain Injuries.

The aim of this project is to prepare adults with acquired brain injuries for on-road driving by using the driving simulator and increase participant's comfort level, confidence, and independence within their occupation of driving. The occupational therapy faculty are interested in identifying the impact driving simulation training has on individuals with acquired brain injuries and how it prepares them for on-road driving. We hope that the information from this project will help us gather information on how driving simulation training improves pre-driving skills related to comfort, confidence, and independence.

This is Phase 3 of a project that started as a capstone project in 2021 and continued with Phase 2 in 2022. . In this next phase,participants who qualify for the study will be invited to participate in the study and will be sent a consent form. They will be randomly assigned to either the driving simulator (eightsessions) or eight sessions of traditional occupational therapy as a control group. All participants will have pre- and post-testing using the same assessments. These assessments measure readiness-to-drive. All participants in the control group will be offered drivingsimulator training after completing the traditional occupational therapy sessions. All study participants will be referred to a certified driving rehabilitation specialist for behind-the-wheelassessments after completing of the driving simulation training

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult participants over 18 years
• Diagnosed acquired brain injury
• A valid driver's license
• History of driving prior to injury

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age less than 18 years
• Moderate to severe cognitive impairment, as measured on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment
• Visual acuity or visual field issues