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Research
Adult
Simulated Driving Performance Issues of Returning Veterans with TBI/PTSD/Depression
Sherrilene Classen, PhD, MPH, OTR/L
Charles E. Levy, MD
Desiree N. Lanford, MOT, OTR/L, CDRS
Dustin Meyer, BHS
The Department of Veterans Affairs stated on Jan 12, 2009 that motor vehicle accidents are the primary cause of death among combat veterans during the first years after returning home (VA, 2008). Unfortunately, on TBI alone, there is an inadequate level of evidence on assessment measures that accurately predicts driving performance (Classen et al., 2009). There is an additional lack of research literature on the assessment of driving abilities in returning veterans. This demands attention -- not only for the welfare of other drivers on the road, but also for the welfare of the returning veterans. This study is executed in collaboration with the North Florida/ South Georgia Malcom Randall VA Medical Center. With the use of the STISM M500W fixed based driving simulator, this study quantifies how the driving performance (number and types of errors) of 25 returning veterans with TBI, PTSD and/or depression compares to the driving performance of 25 adult healthy controls.
Epilepsy and Driving Performance
Sherrilene Classen, PhD, MPH, OTR/L
Stephen Eisenschenk, MD
Alexander Crizzle, PhD, MPH
Sandra Winter, PhD, OTR/L
Will Silver, BHS
Christina LaFranca, BHS
Our primary study purpose is to examine the simulated driving performance (e.g., vehicle position, speed maintenance, lane maintenance, collision avoidance, and reaction time) of people with epilepsy in a Drive Safety DS-250r simulator, during (1) a baseline drive while on Anti-epileptic Drugs (AEDs), and (2) a subsequent drive on reduced or no AEDs. This project is partially funded by the Densch Epilepsy Research Fund in conjunction with the University of Florida's Adult Neurology Comprehensive Epilepsy Program.