08 Feb When Is It Safe To Drive After a Concussion?

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Dr. Julianne Schmidt

Julianne Schmidt, PhD, ATC
Assistant Professor
Department of Kinesiology
The University of Georgia
Athens GA

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Response: Less than half of all people with a concussion intend to reduce their driving at any point.

Current recommendations surrounding concussion focus on when it is safe to return to sport or return to the classroom, but return to driving is usually ignored and has not been studied.

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Response: Individuals with a concussion had less control of the vehicle, especially when navigating curves. This was at a time when their symptoms had gone away and most would have considered themselves “recovered”. This indicates that driving should likely be restricted throughout concussion recovery.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Response: We need to determine when it is safe to drive following concussion.

We would also like to determine how we can use currently available clinical assessments to determine whether a concussed patient is ready to return to driving. 

MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.

Citation:

Julianne D. Schmidt, Nicole L. Hoffman, Maud Ranchet, L. Stephen Miller, Phillip D. Tomporowski, Abiodun E. Akinwuntan, Hannes Devos. Driving after Concussion: Is It Safe To Drive after Symptoms Resolve? Journal of Neurotrauma, 2017; DOI: 10.1089/neu.2016.4668

Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.

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Last Updated on February 8, 2017 by Marie Benz MD FAAD