Examining Visual Processing Reaction Time of Vision CoachTM as a Predictor for Driving Fitness

Vision Coach can be used as a screening tool to differentiate between drivers who will likely pass or likely fail a comprehensive driving evaluation and drivers who need further evaluation. Plain-Language Summary: With the growing number of older adults living longer and with more medical conditions, it is important for occupational therapists to have screening tools to determine fitness to drive. An on-road assessment is the gold standard for determining fitness to drive. However, the number of older adults with cognitive impairment is increasing, which can lead to a decline in processing speed while driving. As processing speed declines, it can take longer for a person to make decisions, which results in increased driving risk. Occupational therapists need a screening tool to assess processing speed, particularly for people with cognitive impairment. In this study we found that the Vision CoachTMdemonstrates good sensitivity and specificity in assessing visual processing speed reaction time as well as determining who will likely pass or fail a comprehensive driving evaluation and who should be referred for further evaluation.