Model System:

TBI

Reference Type:

JA

Accession No.:

J58338

Journal:


Brain Injury

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

, 24, 3, 464-471

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Primary objective: To examine return to driving and variables associated with that activity in a longitudinal database. Research design: Retrospective analysis of a large, national database. Methods and procedures: The sample was comprised of people with predominantly moderate–severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) enrolled in the TBI Model System national database at 16 centres and followed at 1 (n¼5942), 2 (n¼4628) and 5 (n¼2324) years after injury. Main outcomes and results: Respondents were classified as driving or not driving at each follow-up interval. Five years after injury, half the sample had returned to driving. Those with less severe injuries were quicker to return to driving, but, by 5 years, severity was not a factor. Those who were driving expressed a higher life satisfaction. Functional status at rehabilitation discharge, age at injury, race, pre-injury residence, pre-injury employment status and education level were associated with the odds of a person driving. Conclusions: Half of those with a moderate–severe TBI return to driving within 5 years and most of those within 1 year of injury. Driving is associated with increased life satisfaction. There are multiple factors that contribute to return to driving that do not relate to actual driving ability.

Author(s):


Novack T. A, Labbe D., Grote M., Carlson N., Sherer M., Arango-Lasprilla J. C., Bushnik T., Cifu D., Powell J. M., Ripley. D., & Seel R. T.

Participating Centers: