Driving evaluation methods for able-bodied persons and individuals with lower extremity disabilities: A review of assessment modalities

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Study identified existing driving evaluation modalities for able-bodied and lower extremity-impaired subjects (spinal cord injury patients and amputees) and evaluated the potential relationships between driving performance and the motor component of driving. An extensive scoping review of the literature was conducted to identify driving assessment tools that are currently used for able-bodied individuals and for those with spinal cord injury or lower-extremity amputation. The literature search focused on the assessment of the motor component of driving. References were electronically obtained via Medline from the PubMed, Ovid, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases. The search identified nine studies that described motor performance evaluations as components of driving assessment protocols in the general population. Most of these studies discussed the performance of older drivers and described specific motor assessment tests. Eight studies related to driving assessment for people with SCI or lower-limb amputation were identified. Of those studies, three were specifically designed to assess SCI subjects, and two focused on amputees. Overall, there is no clear evidence-based research or recommendation regarding how to properly assess fitness to drive among people with lower-extremity impairment. Very few articles were found concerning lower-extremity disabilities, thus confirming the need for further studies that can provide evidence and guidance for such assessments in the future. Little is known about the motor component of driving and its association with the other driving domains, such as vision and cognition. The available research demonstrates the need for a more evidenced-based understanding of how to best evaluate people with lower-extremity impairment

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