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Performance on the flanker task predicts driving cessation in older adults
Author(s) -
Shimada Hiroyuki,
Uemura Kazuki,
Makizako Hyuma,
Doi Takehiko,
Lee Sangyoon,
Suzuki Takao
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/gps.4308
Subject(s) - psychology , cognition , logistic regression , task (project management) , trail making test , set (abstract data type) , test (biology) , audiology , cognitive impairment , medicine , psychiatry , paleontology , management , biology , programming language , computer science , economics
Objectives This study examined the predictive validity of flanker tasks on driving cessation in older drivers. The flanker task comprises a set of response inhibition tests used to assess the ability to suppress responses. Methods A total of 2805 older drivers aged ≥65 years at baseline participated in this study. We conducted several baseline assessments focused on physical and psychological health as well as cognitive performance. Fifteen months after the baseline measurements, we collected information about the current driving status of the participants. Results Forty‐eight participants (1.7%) ceased driving during the 15‐month period following the assessment. Logistic regression models identified the following as significant predictors of driving cessation: performance on the trail‐making test (parts A and B), digit symbol substitution test scores, story memory, and flanker task scores for the total, congruent, and incongruent conditions. The flanker task scores for the total, congruent, and incongruent conditions were significant predictors in the fully adjusted logistic model. Conclusion The flanker task was more important than assessments of general cognition, including memory, attention, executive control, and processing speed, in predicting driving cessation. The flanker task may be useful for identifying driving cessation in older adults. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.