The Effects of Cognitive Training on Driving Performance

Abstract

Driving is a complex task necessitating an intricate interplay of sensory, motor, and cognitive abilities. Extensive research has underscored the role of neurocognitive functions, including attention, memory, executive functions, and visuospatial skills, in driving safety and performance. Despite evidence suggesting cognitive training's potential in enhancing driving abilities, comprehensive cognitive training's impact on driving performance in young adult drivers remains unexplored. Our study aimed to fill this gap by implementing an intensive, 8-week, multidomain computerized cognitive training program and assessing its transfer effects on the driving performance of young adult drivers (n=50), using a high-fidelity simulator. Participants' age ranged from 18 to 25, with a mean age of 21.05 years. Employing a randomized controlled trial design, the mixed-design analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a notable interaction between the time of testing and the respective participant groups concerning driving performance, F(1, 48) = 4.92, p = .031, ∂η² = 0.093. Post hoc analyses showed that, compared to the control group, participants undergoing cognitive training demonstrated significantly fewer traffic infractions in the post-training evaluation, with a mean difference of 6.84 infractions, SE = 2.13, t(48) = 3.20, ptukey = .012. These findings highlight the potential of cognitive training as an effective tool for enhancing driving safety and performance young adult drivers. Further research is necessary to examine these effects across different populations and real-world driving contexts.