Visuospatial and attentional abilities predict driving simulator performance among older HIV-infected adults

J. M. Foley, A. L. Gooding, A. D. Thames, M. L. Ettenhofer, M. S. Kim, S. A. Castellon, T. D. Marcotte, J. R. Sadek, R. K. Heaton, W. G.Van Gorp, C. H. Hinkin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

30 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the effects of aging and neuropsychological (NP) impairment on driving simulator performance within a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected cohort. Methods: Participants included 79 HIV-infected adults (n = 58 > age 50, n = 21 ≤ 40) who completed a NP battery and a personnel computer-based driving simulator task. Outcome variables included total completion time (time) and number of city blocks to complete the task (blocks). Results: Compared to the younger group, the older group was less efficient in their route finding (blocks over optimum: 25.9 [20.1] vs 14.4 [16.9]; P =.02) and took longer to complete the task (time: 1297.6 [577.6] vs 804.4 [458.5] seconds; P =.001). Regression models within the older adult group indicated that visuospatial abilities (blocks: b = -0.40, P <.001; time: b = -0.40, P =.001) and attention (blocks: b = -0.49, P =.001; time: b = -0.42, P =.006) independently predicted simulator performance. The NP-impaired group performed more poorly on both time and blocks, compared to the NP normal group. Conclusions: Older HIV-infected adults may be at risk of driving-related functional compromise secondary to HIV-associated neurocognitive decline.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)185-194
Number of pages10
JournalAmerican Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and other Dementias
Volume28
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2013
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • General Neuroscience
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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