Article

OBJECTIVE: To document troublesome driving tasks and any changes in driving
behavior reported by people with chronic whiplash-associated disorders (WADs).
DESIGN: Descriptive study; semistructured interview. SETTING: Tertiary
institution. PARTICIPANTS: Patients (N=33) with chronic WAD. INTERVENTIONS: Not
applicable. Neck Disability Index (NDI), visual analog
scale for neck pain at rest and while driving, exposure section of the Driving
Habit Questionnaire, self-rating perceived current driving ability,
semistructured interview about presenting symptoms, troublesome driving tasks,
and perceived changes in driving behavior after a whiplash injury. RESULTS:
Subjects (24 of 33; 73%) reported a decrease in driving ability, rating an
average of 6.7+/-2.2 on an 11-point scale (0, unable to drive; 10, driving at
preinjury level). These subjects scored higher on the NDI (41.8%+/-18.4%),
experienced greater neck pain at rest (4.3+/-2.1/10) and while driving
(5.7+/-2.1/10), and reported decreased concentration more frequently than those
who rated their driving ability at a preinjury level (ie, 10). The most
frequently nominated troublesome driving tasks were checking blind spots,
prolonged driving, and reversing/reverse parking, and the most frequently cited
changes in driving behavior included more use of trunk rotation (75%), altered
steering wheel grip (63%), more anxious/nervous while driving (54%), and more
cautious driving (50%). CONCLUSIONS: The chronic whiplash population appears to
have unique troublesome driving tasks (eg, prolonged driving, checking blind
spots) that are not readily detected in currently available driving
ability/difficulty scales, suggesting that a new scale may be required for this
population.
CI - Copyright (c) 2011 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS