Page 8 - SOUTH FLORIDA HOSPITAL NEWS AUGUST 2021

Senior Drivers Needed for Memory and Driving Study

Research to Advance Real World Knowledge for Driving Safety

BY BARBARA R. FALLON the National Institutes patterns. Recorded changes by the team to translate and sync driving
of Health grant, will in driver behavior will be behavior with indices of cognitive change
Researchers at Florida Atlantic support experts from compared with results from that will contribute to real world applica-
University (FAU) are currently recruiting FAU’s Christine E. Lynn a panel of cognitive tests tions. The end goal is to develop an early
750 drivers over 65 years old to enroll in a College of Nursing, col- including global cognition, warning alert for older drivers with evi-
3-year confidential study of memory and laborating with the executive function, memo- dence-based data collection.
driving behaviors. Participants will have College of Engineering ry, visuospatial, visual atten- Dr. Newman noted that current screen-
an initial baseline cognitive function and Computer Science tion, and language selected ing and evaluation services are only able to
screening and driving behavior profile and the Charles E. for both sensitivity to early test a small number of individuals with
established and then normal driving pat- Schmidt College of subtle changes in cognition cognitive concerns, missing many who
terns will be tracked by inconspicuous in- Science to merge in order to set a baseline for need to know if they require treatment.
vehicle sensors and evaluated every three healthcare and technol- driver risk according to age, Now, researchers also will evaluate the end
months for three years (13 data points) to ogy in a study of senior sex and model of car. users’ response to the novel driving sen-
correlate thinking, memory, and judge- memory and driving Dr. Laurie Martinez “This groundbreaking sors installed and propose improvements
ment with driving behavior. behaviors. The study is study is designed to detect to increase acceptability by older drivers.
According to Project Coordinator, designed to formulate a subtle changes that may “Fully powered, long-term tests of an
Laurie Martinez, PhD, MSN, MBA, RN, a low cost early warning system of mild cog- indicate changes in cognition” Dr. array of sensors to determine the ability to
certificate of confidentiality certifies that nitive changes and their impact on driving Martinez said. detect cognitive change, examine what
only the research team has access to the by monitoring attention, orientation and Lead investigator, Ruth Tappen, RN, changes are detected and which sensor
results and that personal data cannot be judgement during normal driving. EdD, FAAN, and co-lead David Newman, data is most sensitive to these changes has
released to law enforcement, insurance The In-vehicle Sensors to Detect PhD, are heading the research effort with the potential to advance current science
companies, department of motor vehicles Cognitive Change in Older Drivers project an interdisciplinary team of experts collab- and improve quality of public health and
or family members unless authorized by is a 5-year longitudinal study that will orating from the fields of engineering, safety,” he said.
the individual participants. sync data collected through inconspicuous computer science, neurology, psychology, Dean of FAU’s College of Nursing Safiya
There is no cost to senior participants cameras and GPS modems that sense and cognitive testing, on-road driver testing, George, PhD, agrees, “This research has
who must have a valid driver’s license, record motion and orientation detection, memory and wellness. the potential to shift the paradigm in cog-
lease or own a car, and speak English or vision, driver eye movements, and driving Dr. Tappen is an expert gerontologist nitive evaluation of older adults to facili-
Spanish. It will require regular meetings scene awareness. Researchers will track with extensive experience in dementia tate earlier detection of cognitive changes
with researchers (over three years) to col- and record driving behaviors such as travel research and a professor and Eminent that have real-world application and
lect the data and participant input. Seniors patterns to account for miles driven dur- Scholar in FAU’s Christine E. Lynn College impact public health and driving safety.”
will receive up to $350 in gift cards from ing the day and night as well as number of of Nursing; while Dr. Newman is an asso- Regular sensor data downloads, cogni-
Publix, Walmart and Amazon for their trips; abnormal driving such as getting ciate professor and a statistician in FAU’s tive screenings and participant input will
time and opinion of in-vehicle sensor sat- lost, losing focus, and near-collision Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing. be conducted and analyzed at FAU Boca
isfaction. They can opt to receive annual events; reaction time when stopping at a Research indicates that 33% of drivers Raton and Davie campuses over a 3-year
feedback on their cognitive screening or stop sign or traffic light; and braking pat- have some level of cognitive decline and period. The study is open to the commu-
leave the study at any time. terns; as well as ignoring traffic signals. 50% of those continue to drive after a diag- nity residents and can accommodate regu-
This cutting-edge research, funded by a Data will take into account weather and nosis of dementia. lar winter visitor schedules.
$5.3 million National Institute on Aging of other factors that may influence driving Concern for traffic safety and opportu-
nity to detect early cognitive change in the To join or ask questions, call Dr. Laurie
health of older drivers, who represent a Martinez at (845) 705-8982, email driving-
significant population, is the genesis of project@health.fau.edu or visit
this groundbreaking research, according to https://nursing.fau.edu/research/grants/.
Dr. Tappen. Algorithms will be developed

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8 August 2021 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News