RecruitingNCT06672107

Driver Simulator Training to Improve Driving After Stroke

Driving Simulator Training to Improve Driving Performance in Veteran Stroke Patients

Sponsor

VA Office of Research and Development

Enrollment

100 participants

Start Date

Nov 17, 2025

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Conditions

Stroke

Summary

One hundred Veteran stroke survivors will participate in both an Active Driver Training intervention and a Control intervention in a fully interactive driving simulator. In addition, all participants will complete pre- and post-intervention driving assessments in the driving simulator to measure driving performance and types of driving errors committed. Half the participants will receive the Active Driver Training first, whereas the other half will receive the Control intervention first. Each Active Driver Training session will provide targeted practice and feedback on each of four unique driving skills including: speed management, collision avoidance, lane positioning, and dashboard attention. The Control intervention will be matched for total time but will only provide extra familiarization with the operation of the driving simulator, with no skill-specific practice. It is predicted that the Active Driver Training Intervention will result in improved driving performance, relative to the Control condition. In addition, after a delay period of at least 6 months, all participants will be re-assessed in the driving simulator and will complete a survey to capture changes in driving status.

Eligibility

Min Age: 40 YearsMax Age: 80 Years

Inclusion Criteria5

U.S. Veterans
History of a unilateral stroke (at least 3 months post-onset)
Ages 40-80
pre-morbidly right hand dominant
prior driving experience/U.S. driver's license

Exclusion Criteria4

History of other neurologic illness (e.g., TBI, dementia, epilepsy, Parkinson's, etc.)
History of severe psychiatric illness (e.g., schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders)
Recent substance abuse/dependence disorder (< 1 year)
Non-Veteran status

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Interventions

BEHAVIORALActive Driver Training Intervention

simulated driver training focusing on practice of 4 specific driving skills including lane positioning, speed management, collision avoidance, and dashboard attention

BEHAVIORALControl Intervention

pre-scripted familiarization with driving simulator controls in the absence of any complex driving scenarios, decision making requirements, or feedback pertaining to driving skills