Clinical Research Directory

Tech-wise Driver (Technology Acceptance of Targeted ADAS for Older Adults)

The tech-wise driver: Exploring the sustained efficacy and technology acceptance of targeted ADAS for older drivers A significant percentage of road traffic fatalities registered in Canada occurred among older adults. According to the studies, the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) can enhance the safety and mitigate the age-related declines of older drivers. Whether sustained use results in declines in driving performance in older drivers relying on ADAS remains largely unexplored. This is problematic given emerging evidence on ADAS use by older drivers. Furthermore, exploring changes in ADAS technology acceptance in relation to sustained use can inform the correlation between perceived safety and intention to use. The investigators hypothesize that, compared to driving simulator training alone, lane departure warning (LDW), cruise control (CC), and forward proximity warning (FPW) technology will result in a sustained decrease of critical driving errors in this population; and that exposure to the technology will increase participants' perceived usability and ease of use. To achieve this goal, the investigators will explore the determination of sustained efficacy, establish the impact of technology exposure, evaluate the concurrent validity of a computerized model of driving error type and severity using trained occupational therapy in-vehicle evaluation as the criterion, when evaluating older drivers 'performance. Our findings may significantly impact the ability of older drivers to choose in-vehicle technologies, and our study will be the first to assess the criterion validity of a simulator-derived computerized model against the findings of an evaluator-based functional assessment.

Evaluating the Practice Resource for Driving After Stroke

After stroke, individuals must be assessed to determine if they can resume driving. Return to driving is very important to people who have experienced a stroke. Unfortunately, health care providers face challenges in addressing driving after stroke. Common issues include being unsure of the best screening practices, difficulty discussing driving with patients, and challenges making informed recommendations about driving that balance the risk of public safety along with supporting patient goals. Occupational Therapists (OTs) are health care providers that provide screening, assessment, and intervention for driving to individuals who have had a stroke. OTs working in stroke care have highlighted the urgency for evidence-based resources to support practice to address driving with patients. The Practice Resource for Driving After Stroke (PReDAS), is an evidenced-based resource to support the clinical practice of OTs in addressing driving in acute stroke settings. A previous pilot study has demonstrated that the PReDAS is considered useful by both health care providers and patients. Further study is needed to evaluate how the PReDAS can support OTs in addressing driving with patients. The current study proposes to provide the PReDAS as an intervention to OTs working in acute stroke settings to see if the intervention increases OT's self efficacy and clinical reasoning for addressing driving. The study will take repeated measures of self-efficacy and clinical reasoning among participating OTs to determine if the PReDAS intervention supports improved self-efficacy and clinical reasoning.