Difficulty resuming driving in acute acquired brain injury: Retrospective observational study using discriminant analysis

Abstract

Objectives: We hypothesized that neuropsychological testing and history of falls would be associated with difficulty resume driving after acute acquired brain injury (ABI). This study aimed to analyze ABI facing difficulties in resuming driving in the acute phase.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 63 patients receiving assistance in driving-resumption after ABI. Patients were categorized into two groups: driving-resumption-possible and driving-resumption-difficult. Discriminant analysis delineated characteristics of patients experiencing driving-resumption difficulty. Additionally, significant predictors were analyzed using ROC curves.

Results: 42 patients were able to resume driving, and 21 experienced difficulties in driving resumption. Factors predicting difficulty returning to driving were age, history of falls, TMT Part B, and ROCF. Furthermore, cut-off values for each were 72 years, 148 seconds for TMT Part B, and 29.5 points for ROCF.

Conclusions: Patients with advanced age, history of falls, delayed TMT Part B, and poor ROCF outcomes may face challenges in resuming driving after ABI. These factors may serve as a valuable metric to assess driving resumption difficulties after ABI.

Keywords: Acquired brain injury; Acute; Discriminate analysis; History of falls; Resume driving.