Comparison of Driving Capacity with Distraction Using the Lane Change Task in Drivers with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Compared with Healthy Controls (P3.291)

Objective: To compare driving capacity while distracted in individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and healthy controls (HC) using the computer simulation of the Lane Change Task (LCT). Background: For road safety, limiting distractions has been recommended for many populations. Distractions which have been found to impair driving include dual tasks requiring cognitive demand, motor demand and visual distractions. Understanding distractions which may influence safe driving in individuals with ALS has not been studied. Methods: Twelve individuals with ALS (Mean (SD): Age, 63.5 (9.0) years; Months since dx, 13 (2.7); ALSFRS total 40 (5); ALSFRS fine motor 9 (2)) and 9 HC (Mean age (SD); 53.4 (10.2) years) were consented to participate. Each individual was assessed to determine physical and cognitive ability; physical ability via 10 meter self-selected gait speed (10mSS); and cognitive ability via Trail Making Test Part B (TMTB) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA). Each individual then performed a driving evaluation using the standardized computer simulation program, LCT for a baseline assessment, followed by motor, cognitive, and visual distraction tasks. The LCT is a reaction time task with a primary dependent variable of mean lane deviation (Mdev), assessing perception, quality of lane change, and lane-keeping quality. Comparison of groups was performed with a Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon, with a significance value of p < 0.05. Results: No significant differences were noted between groups on 10mSS, TMTB, or MOCA. No significant differences were noted for LCT (Mdev) at baseline, or with cognitive, or visual distraction tasks. However, for the motor distraction task, the ALS group performed significantly slower than the HC group (p = 0.04). Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest that individuals with ALS have a harder time with accuracy of driving when performing a distraction motor task than HC. Disclosure: Dr. Hayes has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dorius has nothing to disclose. Dr. Gibson has nothing to disclose. Dr. Mathy has nothing to disclose. Dr. Berggren has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bromberg has received personal compensation for activities with Accordant Health Services, Grifols Inc., Avanir Pharmaceuticals, and Walgreens. Dr. Bromberg has received research support from Knopp Inc.