Highlights Two groups of participants were recruited: patients with a mTBI and a control group. Both groups were assessed at 24h post injury on assessments of fitness-to-drive. Follow-up occurred at two weeks post injury to establish driver status. This research confirms that patients with a mTBI should not to drive for 24h. Further research is required to map factors which facilitate timely return to driving.
Abstract Introduction Little is known about the trajectory of recovery in fitness-to-drive after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). This means that health-care professionals have limited evidence on which to base recommendations to this cohort about driving. Objective To determine fitness-to-drive status of patients with a mTBI at 24h and two weeks post injury, and to summarise issues reported by this cohort about return to driving. Method Quasi-experimental case-control design. Two groups of participants were recruited: patients with a mTBI (n =60) and a control group with orthopaedic injuries (n =60). Both groups were assessed at 24h post injury on assessments of fitness-to-drive. Follow-up occurred at two weeks post injury to establish driver status. Main Measures Mini mental state examination, occupational therapy-drive home maze test (OT–DHMT), Road Law Road Craft Test, University of Queensland-Hazard Perception Test, and demographic/interview form collected at 24h and at two weeks. Results At the 24h assessment, only the OT–DHMT showed a difference in scores between the two groups, with mTBI participants being significantly slower to complete the test (p =0.01). At the two week follow-up, only 26 of the 60 mTBI participants had returned to driving. Injury severity combined with scores from the 24h assessment predicted 31% of the variance in time taken to return to driving. Delayed return to driving was reported due to: “not feeling 100% right” (n =14, 23%), headaches and pain (n =12, 20%), and dizziness (n =5, 8%). Conclusion This research supports existing guidelines which suggest that patients with a mTBI should not to drive for 24h; however, further research is required to map factors which facilitate timely return to driving.
Fitness-to-drive after mild traumatic brain injury: Mapping the time trajectory of recovery in the acute stages post injury
Accident Analysis and Prevention ; 79 ; 50-55
2015-03-11
6 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
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