Concussed adolescents are returning to driving before is perhaps secure — Concussion Alliance

By Ike Smalley. This text was initially printed in our Concussion Replace publication; please contemplate subscribing.

In a examine introduced on the American Neurological Affiliation annual assembly, researcher Catherine M. McDonald, PhD, RN, FAAN, discovered that many adolescents with concussions return to driving before is perhaps secure. The examine measured driving efficiency and prefrontal cortical activation patterns in 34 adolescents, half beforehand concussed, as they engaged in a driving simulation. Whereas efficiency was roughly equal earlier than any distractions, prefrontal cortex activation was considerably higher in unhurt individuals when experiencing a simulated distraction similar to a telephone name or checking a map. Robert Herpen, in an article for Helio, notes, “These with concussion had extra hassle with decision-making and response occasions than these with out.” 

The examine implies that difficult driving environments is perhaps harder for not too long ago concussed youth to navigate safely. Many adolescents return to driving in lower than 7 days after their harm, whereas the examine outcomes counsel a safer guideline is perhaps a minimal of 10 days. McDonald highlighted an app named “Way to Drive,” which tracks driving knowledge and can be utilized to watch signs, permitting dad and mom and youth to make higher selections about driving after a concussion.