earticle

영어

The purpose of the present study was to present evidence for driving interventions for the elderly by conducting programs that can improve visual perception and cognitive function in a driving simulator for elderly drivers and analyse their effects. Three elderly subjects who were 65 years or older, did not have physical and cognitive impairments, and were able to drive themselves participated in the present study. A total of 12 intervention sessions, of which subjects participated in 10 sessions of nine different visual perception and cognitive function programs available in a driving simulator, were conducted and pre- and post-program assessments were conducted (two assessments in total). The assessments included the evaluation of visual perception, frontal lobe function, concentration, safe driving behaviour, and self-efficacy. The results showed positive effects of the driving simulator program on the visual perception, frontal lobe function, concentration, safe driving behaviour, and self-efficacy of all subjects. Changes in the simulator results showed remarkable improvement in the response evaluation, judgment evaluation, and predictive power evaluation, but showed difficulties in interference tasks and depth perception in common. The results showed positive effects of driving simulator training on the driving ability of the elderly, and consistent provision of such training is expected to improve the quality of life of the elderly by securing the safety of driving and actively supporting social participation.