ABSTRACT

Objective : Driving is an important activity affected by the motor and cognitive deficits after stroke. However, there is no standard, valid screening tool for stroke drivers in Korea. Thus, this study sought to validate the Stroke Drivers’ Screening Assessment (SDSA). Methods : The original Stroke Drivers’ Screening Assessment (SDSA) was adapted to the Korean Stroke Drivers' Screening Assessment (K-SDSA) by replacing UK-specific traffic situations and road signs with their Korean equivalents. K-SDSA scores from Korean healthy older drivers were compared to those from UK healthy older drivers as well as Korean younger drivers. Stroke participants were assigned to the eligible and ineligible groups for driving, based on their discriminant results from K-SDSA administration. Then their driving abilities were assessed using a driving simulator. Results : Korean older drivers’ scores were not different from UK older drivers’ and were lower than younger drivers’. Driving performance of the driving-ineligible group was lower than that of the driving-eligible group in various situations including urban, rural, and high-way roads. This suggests that K-SDSA could successfully predict stroke drivers’ driving performance. Conclusion : The current study suggests that stroke drivers are required to take K-SDSA before deciding to resume their driving to ensure their safe driving.