Driving among individuals with chronic conditions: A systematic review of applied research using kinematic driving sensors

Abstract

BackgroundKinematic driving data studies are a novel methodology relevant to health care, but prior studies have considerable variance in their methods, populations, and findings suggesting a need for critical analysis and appraisal for feasibility and methodological guidelines.MethodsWe assessed kinematic driving studies of adults with chronic conditions for study feasibility, characteristics, and key findings, to generate recommendations for future study designs, and to identify promising directions for applications of kinematic driving data. PRISMA was used to guide the review and searches included PubMed, CINAHL, and Compendex. Of 379 abstract/titles screened, 49 full‐text articles were reviewed, and 29 articles met inclusion criteria of analyzing trip‐level kinematic driving data from adult drivers with chronic conditions.ResultsThe predominant chronic conditions studied were Alzheimer's disease and related Dementias, obstructive sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus. Study objectives included feasibility testing of kinematic driving data collection in the context of chronic conditions, comparisons of simulation with real‐world kinematic driving behavior, assessments of driving behavior effects associated with chronic conditions, and prognostication or disease classification drawn from kinematic driving data. Across the studies, there was no consensus on devices, measures, or sampling parameters; however, studies showed evidence that driving behavior could reliably differentiate between adults with chronic conditions and healthy controls.ConclusionsVehicle sensors can provide driver‐specific measures relevant to clinical assessment and interventions. Using kinematic driving data to assess and address driving measures of individuals with multiple chronic conditions is positioned to amplify a functional outcome measure that matters to patients.