Free
Research Article  |   June 1995
The Effects of Dynavision Rehabilitation on Behind-the-Wheel Driving Ability and Selected Psychomotor Abilities of Persons After Stroke
Peter Klavora; Peter Gaskovski; Kathleen Martin; Rick D. Forsyth; Ron J. Heslegrave; Margaret Young; Robert P. Quinn
Author Affiliations
  • Peter Klavora, PhD, is Director, Psychology and Motor Learning Laboratory of the School of Physical and Health Education, University of Toronto, 320 Huron Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A1
  • Peter Gaskovski is a researcher, Psychology and Motor Learning Laboratory of the School of Physical and Health Education, University of Toronto
  • Kathleen Martin, MSc, is a graduate student, University of Waterloo, Department of Kinesiology, Waterloo, Ontario
  • Rick D. Forsyth, PhD, is a human factors consultant, Forsyth Consulting, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
  • Ron J. Heslegrave, PhD, is Director of Research, Department of Psychiatry, Wellesley Hospital, Toronto, Ontario
  • Margaret Young, OT(C), is a driver rehabilitation specialist, and Director, Driver Education Services, Hugh MacMillan Rehabilitation Centre, Toronto, Ontario
  • Robert P. Quinn, MDCM, FRCP(C), is a physician and Medical Program Director of the Amputee and Neurological Rehabilitation Programs, West Park Hospital, Toronto, Ontario
Article Information
Community Mobility and Driving / Neurologic Conditions / Rehabilitation, Participation, and Disability / Stroke / Special Issue on Stroke
Research Article   |   June 1995
The Effects of Dynavision Rehabilitation on Behind-the-Wheel Driving Ability and Selected Psychomotor Abilities of Persons After Stroke
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, June 1995, Vol. 49, 534-542. doi:10.5014/ajot.49.6.534
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, June 1995, Vol. 49, 534-542. doi:10.5014/ajot.49.6.534
Abstract

Objective. Many conventional rehabilitation exercises, such as pencil-and-paper and computer tasks, may not train perceptual and motor skills as applied to a complex, multiskill activity such as driving. The present study examined the usefulness of the Dynavision apparatus for driving-related rehabilitation. The Dynavision was designed to train visual scanning, peripheral visual awareness, visual attention, and visual-motor reaction time across a broad, active visual field.

Method. Ten persons with a cerebrovascular accident participated in the study. All had failed behind-the-wheel driving assessments. Subjects participated in a 6-week Dynavision training program using exercises designed to impose various motor, perceptual, and cognitive demands.

Results. Dynavision training resulted in significantly improved behind-the-wheel driving assessments as compared to expected outcomes. Comparisons between pretests, posttests, and follow-up tests on a number of Dynavision, response, and reaction time variables showed significant improvements and maintenance effects. Dynavision performance, and, to a lesser extent, choice visual reaction and response times, were found to differentiate between persons assessed as safe and unsafe to drive, and between older and younger drivers. Subject self-reports suggested that a variety of training-related improvements had occurred in everyday functioning.

Conclusion. Dynavision training shows some rehabilitative promise for improving driving and basic psychomotor skills. Future research on the benefits and limitations of this apparatus should use finer laboratory skill measures and more comprehensive tests of driving and daily functioning to assess more thoroughly skill improvements in persons after stroke.