Driver Training After Stroke

Launched by VA OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT · Nov 1, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, called "Driver Training After Stroke," is studying how to help stroke survivors improve their driving skills using a driving simulator. The trial will involve 100 U.S. Veterans who have had a stroke at least three months ago and are between the ages of 40 and 80. Participants must have been right-handed before their stroke and should have previous driving experience with a U.S. driver's license. Unfortunately, individuals with other serious neurological or psychiatric conditions, recent substance abuse issues, or who are not Veterans will not be eligible to participate.

During the trial, participants will receive two different types of training: one is a special Active Driver Training that focuses on skills like managing speed and avoiding collisions, while the other is a Control intervention that simply familiarizes them with the simulator without skill practice. Each participant will go through both training sessions and will be evaluated on their driving performance before and after the training. After about six months, everyone will be re-evaluated to see if their driving status has changed. The goal is to find out if the Active Driver Training helps improve driving skills more than the Control training.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • U.S. Veterans
• • History of a unilateral stroke (at least 3 months post-onset)
• • Ages 40-80
• • pre-morbidly right hand dominant
• • prior driving experience/U.S. driver's license
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • History of other neurologic illness (e.g., TBI, dementia, epilepsy, Parkinson's, etc.)
• • History of severe psychiatric illness (e.g., schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders)
• • Recent substance abuse/dependence disorder (\< 1 year)
• • Non-Veteran status