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Background/aims: Useful Field of View scores are predictive of on‐road performance post‐stroke. No objective data exist to determine if the Useful Field of View (UFOV) assessment can be used as a repeated measure in the post‐stroke population to determine timing of occupational therapy on‐road assessment as recovery occurs. The aims of this study were to determine whether there is a practice effect if the UFOV is administered at one, two and three months' post‐stroke and to assess optimal time post‐stroke to refer to an on‐road assessment. Method: Forty‐two participants, 17 men (40.5%), with a mean age of 71 years (SD 9.33) were randomly allocated to 1. Assessment group – UFOV at one, two and three months' post‐stroke, 2. Control group—UFOV at three months' post‐stroke. Parametric and non‐parametric tests were utilised depending on data distribution. Results: No significance was found between; three months' subtest 1 (P = 0.463), three months' subtest 2 (P = 0.729) and three months' subtest 3 (P = 0.534) between the assessment and control groups. Both group's scores were combined to examine pass/fail rates of UFOV assessment to indicate timing of referral to on‐road assessments. At one month, 16.9% stroke survivors passed the UFOV, when reassessed at three months 69.1% passed and 28.6% again failed. Conclusion: Improvements in scores at one month intervals over three months are due to improvements in abilities assessed by the UFOV as no practice effect was found to influence scores. UFOV scores performed at monthly intervals post‐stroke can be used to guide the timing of an occupational therapy on‐road assessment, with an increased likelihood of passing, as recovery occurs. This repeated use of the UFOV assessment can assist referral practices that best utilise driving rehabilitation programmes. Larger studies need to be conducted to confirm these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Returning to driving post-stroke is a step towards independence. On return to driving following stroke, confidence is related to performance in on-road assessment and self-regulation of driving behaviours occurs. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between driver's confidence and driving habits post-stroke. Method: Structured telephone surveys were completed with 40 stroke survivors (62% men), of mean age 65 years SD 12.17 who returned to driving post-stroke within the previous 3 years. The survey included: (1) socio-demographics, (2) Adelaide Driving Self Efficacy Scale (ADSES) and (3) Driving Habits Questionnaire (DHQ). Results: Male stroke survivors were more likely to return to driving, drive further and more often. Stroke survivors under 65 years were likely to drive further. Driving confidence was significantly associated with kilometres driven ( p = 0.006), distance driven ( p = 0.027) and self-limiting driving ( p = 0.00). Conclusion: Findings indicate a relationship between confidence and driving behaviours post-stroke. Early recognition of driving confidence will help professionals target specific strategies, encouraging stroke survivors to return to full driving potential, access activities and positively influence quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an overview of the various rehabilitation concepts used to re-train driving skills in people with neurological conditions, including stroke, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. It discusses the difficulties encountered during attempts to implement the concepts in rehabilitation or driving assessment centers. The article provides recommendations to streamline the license re-certification procedures.

Few virtual reality programs have been designed to retrain performance of activities of daily living for people undergoing neurological rehabilitation. This is despite the advantages of using this type of approach, including task-specifc practice of meaningful and relevant activities. This paper summarizes the development of a grocery shopping simulator which uses a novel approach to interaction between the user and the program. The shopping simulation program underwent usability testing with patients participating in neurological rehabilitation. The results indicated that patients found the program easy and enjoyable to use and felt it would be a useful part of a rehabilitation program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To determine whether providing therapy staff with objective information regarding the nature of visual impairment enhances functional recovery of stroke survivors. Methods: A mixed methodology incorporated a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) and qualitative study. Patients presenting acutely with functional disability and suspected visual deficit, underwent visual assessment. Patients with visual impairment were recruited; all subjects received rehabilitation. The sample was randomized to group A (control) where details of visual assessment were withheld from therapy staff and group B (experimental) where details of visual assessment were disclosed. Functional measures (Functional Independent Measure, timed walk) were recorded at baseline and 6-week follow-up. Health professionals participated in a focus group to discuss the perceived influence of the additional visual assessment service on functional outcome. Findings: 64 patients were recruited over 18 months (group A=31; group B=33). Drop out resulted in 19 subjects in group A and 20 in group B for full analysis. Significant functional improvement was noted in both groups, no significant difference was found between groups. Health professionals reported a perceived positive impact from the vision assessment service. Conclusions: Provision of visual assessment information did not influence functional recovery. Qualitative findings indicated perceived benefits from the provision of the vision assessment service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To determine whether providing therapy staff with objective information regarding the nature of visual impairment enhances functional recovery of stroke survivors. Methods: A mixed methodology incorporated a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) and qualitative study. Patients presenting acutely with functional disability and suspected visual deficit, underwent visual assessment. Patients with visual impairment were recruited; all subjects received rehabilitation. The sample was randomized to group A (control) where details of visual assessment were withheld from therapy staff and group B (experimental) where details of visual assessment were disclosed. Functional measures (Functional Independent Measure, timed walk) were recorded at baseline and 6-week follow-up. Health professionals participated in a focus group to discuss the perceived influence of the additional visual assessment service on functional outcome. Findings: 64 patients were recruited over 18 months (group A=31; group B=33). Drop out resulted in 19 subjects in group A and 20 in group B for full analysis. Significant functional improvement was noted in both groups, no significant difference was found between groups. Health professionals reported a perceived positive impact from the vision assessment service. Conclusions: Provision of visual assessment information did not influence functional recovery. Qualitative findings indicated perceived benefits from the provision of the vision assessment service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]