Attention! Road Safety Trial To Measure Brain Activity In Older Drivers
Samantha Ellis, a PhD candidate at the MAIC/UniSC Road Safety Research Collaboration, explained the research will specifically examine brain activity and how it relates to driving.
University of the Sunshine Coast researchers are seeking older drivers for a new trial measuring age-related changes in attention, as part of a broader program to develop a screening method for assessing cognitive fitness to drive.
Samantha Ellis, a PhD candidate at the MAIC/UniSC Road Safety Research Collaboration, explained the research will specifically examine brain activity and how it relates to driving.
'While a number of factors are important, we know that our ability to focus on the road is fundamental to safe driving,' she said.
'As we age, it's natural to experience changes in our attentional abilities. While these changes are normal, it is important to understand how they may impact our driving performance.'
To measure this, researchers will have eligible participants perform computerised attention tasks while measuring their brain activity using an EEG.
Participants will then complete measures of simulated driving to see how they respond and react behind the wheel, which will be compared to a control group of drivers aged below 30, with at least three years of driving experience.
'Unlike standard cognitive tests, the EEG will allow us to measure brain activity associated with attention in real-time,' Ms Ellis said.
'This will allow us to better understand how the measured brain activity relates to driving performance.'
Researchers expect the trial will provide greater insights on how attention impacts driving ability as we get older, including whether compensatory behaviours have a place in maintaining safety.
Senior Research Fellow Dr Kayla Stefanidis said this was crucial for informing the development of better tools to accurately assess cognitive fitness to drive.
'We want to keep older drivers who are safe, driving for as long as possible,' she said.
Currently GPs and health professionals make assessments without the aid of any standardised measure or test for assessing cognitive fitness to drive.
'The development of a cognitive screening tool would help GPs and other health professionals accurately identify whether a patient requires further testing,' Dr Stefanidis said.
'For older adults, it could also reduce costly and unnecessary assessments in older adults who do not require them.'
To be eligible, participants must be aged 60-90 and able to attend one appointment at the University of the Sunshine Coast Sippy Downs campus.
People that wish to take part in the study can find out more here (https://uniofsunshinecoast.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eSaF84cZvklSoE6) or contact the research team at ADS@usc.edu.au
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Attention! Road Safety Trial To Measure Brain Activity In Older Drivers
Press Release – University of the Sunshine Coast Samantha Ellis, a PhD candidate at the MAIC/UniSC Road Safety Research Collaboration, explained the research will specifically examine brain activity and how it relates to driving. University of the Sunshine Coast researchers are seeking older drivers for a new trial measuring age-related changes in attention, as part of a broader program to develop a screening method for assessing cognitive fitness to drive. Samantha Ellis, a PhD candidate at the MAIC/UniSC Road Safety Research Collaboration, explained the research will specifically examine brain activity and how it relates to driving. 'While a number of factors are important, we know that our ability to focus on the road is fundamental to safe driving,' she said. 'As we age, it's natural to experience changes in our attentional abilities. While these changes are normal, it is important to understand how they may impact our driving performance.' To measure this, researchers will have eligible participants perform computerised attention tasks while measuring their brain activity using an EEG. Participants will then complete measures of simulated driving to see how they respond and react behind the wheel, which will be compared to a control group of drivers aged below 30, with at least three years of driving experience. 'Unlike standard cognitive tests, the EEG will allow us to measure brain activity associated with attention in real-time,' Ms Ellis said. 'This will allow us to better understand how the measured brain activity relates to driving performance.' Researchers expect the trial will provide greater insights on how attention impacts driving ability as we get older, including whether compensatory behaviours have a place in maintaining safety. Senior Research Fellow Dr Kayla Stefanidis said this was crucial for informing the development of better tools to accurately assess cognitive fitness to drive. 'We want to keep older drivers who are safe, driving for as long as possible,' she said. Currently GPs and health professionals make assessments without the aid of any standardised measure or test for assessing cognitive fitness to drive. 'The development of a cognitive screening tool would help GPs and other health professionals accurately identify whether a patient requires further testing,' Dr Stefanidis said. 'For older adults, it could also reduce costly and unnecessary assessments in older adults who do not require them.' To be eligible, participants must be aged 60-90 and able to attend one appointment at the University of the Sunshine Coast Sippy Downs campus. People that wish to take part in the study can find out more here ( or contact the research team at ADS@
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