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Relationship between self-perceived driving ability and neuropsychological performance in neurological and psychiatric patients

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Abstract

Background

Neurological and psychiatric patients want to keep driving but several sensory, motor, and cognitive deficits could limit this purpose. However, some drivers “self-regulate” driving behavior to minimize the risk of accidents. A good predictor of this behavior seems to be the self-perceived driving ability. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the neuropsychological profile of neurological and psychiatric active drivers correlates to self-reported and caregiver-referred driving behavior.

Methods

Sixty-three active drivers diagnosed with a neurological or psychiatric condition were enrolled and underwent cognitive assessment plus two behavioral questionnaires (Driver Behavior Questionnaire — DBQ and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-version 11). DBQ and IADL (Instrumental Activities of Daily Living) were also administered to thirty-nine caregivers, to assess autonomy in daily life and the frequency of errors and violations committed by drivers. Spearman’s Rho non-parametric analysis was used to investigate the relationship between performances at neuropsychological tests and DBQ responses. Cohen’s weighted kappa coefficient was also adopted to verify the strength of agreement between the two groups at the DBQ.

Results

Results suggested an overall agreement between self-reported and caregiver-referred driving behavior; moreover, a relationship between self-referred driving behavior and impulsiveness was found. However, neuropsychological performances were not related to self-perceived driving ability.

Conclusions

These results provide new insight regarding the risk of incurring road accidents and can be useful to promote a more appropriate evaluation of risk accidents in neurological and psychiatric patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

    Teresa Difonzo, Stefano Zago & Chiara Gramegna

  2. IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy

    Michela Martini & Maria Guarino

  3. Program in Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy

    Chiara Gramegna

  4. Neurology Unit, S. Orsola – Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy

    Andrea Stracciari

Authors
  1. Teresa Difonzo
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  2. Michela Martini
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  3. Stefano Zago
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  4. Chiara Gramegna
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  5. Maria Guarino
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  6. Andrea Stracciari
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Correspondence to Teresa Difonzo.

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Ethical approval

The study was approved by the local ethics committee of S. Orsola–Malpighi University Hospital and the requirement for informed consent was waived by the Ethics Commission.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Difonzo, T., Martini, M., Zago, S. et al. Relationship between self-perceived driving ability and neuropsychological performance in neurological and psychiatric patients. Neurol Sci 43, 3595–3601 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-021-05858-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-021-05858-z

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