Neuropsychological assessment of geriatric driving competence

14 important questions on Neuropsychological assessment of geriatric driving competence

Are driver with a clinical dementia rating of 0.5 more likely to cause accidents in driving?

No. Unlike a score of 1 on the CDR, which poses a significant traffic safety problem

Give a reason on why there is not a clear distinction between normal aging and abnormal aging and its effects on driving

a group normal aging participant in a study may be in the beginning stage of a dementia but not aware of it

Explain why it is difficult to predict driving ability in elderly

Probably because elderly already adjust their driving patterns because they are aware of reductions in functioning (not driving at night, slowing speed, shorter distances etc.) also medications can cause impaired sensorimotor functioning
  • Higher grades + faster learning
  • Never study anything twice
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Discover Study Smart

Name the four neuropsychological predictors suggested by  Bieliauskas (2005) as predicitors for driving ability.

1. Vision based testing

2. attention-focused testing

3. executive testing

4. development driving in test-simulator

What problems can pose declined vision in driving ability? Name 4.

1. difficulty differences informating and direction signs on expressways
(2) not quickly comprehending signs
(3) reading maps
(4) identifying highway characteristics

Name two predictors for predicting  detection and recognition road signs and hazards, time completing tasks, maneuvering ability, divided attention, overall driving performance index

Age and visual impairment

What is the Useful field of view (UFOV) and how is it associated with driving?

visual field area of a subject where subject gets his visual  information. This area is mapped and called UFOV.  Elderly more likely involved in car accident when drivers have reduction of 40%

How is selective attention involved in reduced ability to drive in early stages of dementia?

Efficiency of selective attention is impaired in early stages dementia. The ability to shift selective attention is related to car crash risk

What is a particular deficit in elderly in selective attention related to driving?

Particular deficit in selective attention in elderly is the efficiency of moving away from a stimulus instead of moving to a stimulus

Name a method for assessing visual attention in driving and explain findings in assessments

Eye tracking systems.  Youth remain central eye position with distractors where elderly made fewer central fixations. Mapping of eye movements is relevant for shifts in selective attention

Who are at risk for accidents with regard to executive functioning?

Ones who cannot compensate for losses in executive functioning are at risk for accidents

Explain the Supervisory Attentional System (SAS) model of information processing in driving

if SAS impaired, individual becomes less flexible, and as a result less able to compensate changing stimulus conditions. Elderly in complex situations would therefore be less able to adapt when executive functioning is inefficient

Why is neuropsychological testing not useful for assessing driving abilities in elderly? Name a solution to overcome this problem.

Modest predictive ability neuropsychological tests for driving is frustrating: might be better for predicting in younger drivers than for older drivers (elderly change habits).  This might change when you present older and younger drivers with challenges (when a deer crosses the road suddenly). This can be safely assessed in a driving simulator

Neuropsychological tests do predict crash accidents in driving simulator when older patients had AD. Name the tests that were used.

1. visual information processing
2. visuospatial impairment
3. reduction UFOV
4. reduced perception three-dimensional structures
5. visual attention skills

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

  • A unique study and practice tool
  • Never study anything twice again
  • Get the grades you hope for
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Remember faster, study better. Scientifically proven.
Trustpilot Logo