Frontiers in Psychology (Feb 2024)

Digital clock drawing test reflects visuospatial ability of older drivers

  • Satsuki Yamauchi,
  • Naoko Kawano,
  • Naoko Kawano,
  • Kan Shimazaki,
  • Kan Shimazaki,
  • Hiroko Shinkai,
  • Masae Kojima,
  • Kazumitsu Shinohara,
  • Hirofumi Aoki

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1332118
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15

Abstract

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ObjectivesTo keep older drivers safe, it is necessary to assess their fitness to drive. We developed a touch screen-based digital Clock Drawing Test (dCDT) and examined the relationship between the dCDT scores and on-road driving performance of older drivers in a community-setting.MethodsOne hundred and forty-one community-dwelling older drivers (range; 64–88 years old) who participated in this study were included in the analysis. Participants completed the dCDT, the Mini-Mental State Examination-Japanese (MMSE-J), and an on-road driving assessment. We examined the relationship between dCDT scores using the method by Rouleau et al. (maximum 10 points) and the on-road driving performance based on a driving assessment system originally developed by Nagoya University.ResultsMultiple regression analyses showed that errors in the driving test were associated with dCDT score for the items “confirmation,” “turning left” and “maintains driving lane position”.DiscussionThis study confirmed the relationship between the dCDT score and driving errors, such as confirmation, turning left and maintaining driving lane position. The increase in these errors indicates a decline in visuospatial ability while driving. The dCDT score may reflect older drivers’ visuospatial abilities while driving.

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