HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) An erratum has been published Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (11) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Orth, M. Articles by Kotterba, S. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Orth, M. Articles by Kotterba, S.

Driving simulator and neuropsychological testing in OSAS before and under CPAP therapy

¹ Dept of Internal Medicine, Division of Pneumology, Allergology and Sleep Medicine, and ² Dept of Neurology, University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Bochum, Germany.

CORRESPONDENCE: M. Orth, University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Dept of Internal Medicine, Division of Pneumology, Allergology and Sleep Medicine, Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany. Fax: 49 2343026420. E-mail: Maritta.Orth{at}ruhr-uni-bochum.de

Keywords: Accident frequency, continuous positive airway pressure, driving, driving simulator, neuropsychological testing, obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome

Received: May 7, 2004
Accepted June 16, 2005

Patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) have an increased car accident rate. Investigations on accident frequency are based on case history, insurance reports and driving simulator studies. The present study combines neuropsychological testing of different attention aspects engaged in driving a car and driving simulation to evaluate a suitable instrument for assessing therapeutic effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).

Driving simulator investigation and neuropsychological testing of alertness, vigilance and divided attention were performed in 31 patients with polysomnographically confirmed OSAS (apnoea–hypopnoea index 24.8±21.5·h^–1) before, and 2 and 42 days after initiation of CPAP.

Divided attention and alertness improved significantly during CPAP, whereas vigilance remained unchanged. However, accident frequency (OSAS before therapy: 2.7±2.0; 2 days after CPAP: 1.5±1.4; 42 days after CPAP: 0.9±1.3) and frequency of concentration faults (OSAS before therapy: 12.4±5.1; 2 days after CPAP: 6.5±3.9; 42 days after CPAP: 4.9±3.3) decreased in the simulated driving situation after 2 and 42 days of therapy. There was no relation between accident frequency, concentration faults and daytime sleepiness, as measured by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and polysomnographic or neuropsychological findings, respectively.

In conclusion, the present results suggest that driving simulation is a possible benchmark parameter of driving performance in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome patients.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A T Mulgrew, G Nasvadi, A Butt, R Cheema, N Fox, J A Fleetham, C F Ryan, P Cooper, and N T Ayas Risk and severity of motor vehicle crashes in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea Thorax, June 1, 2008; 63(6): 536 - 541. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Mazza, J-L. Pepin, B. Naegele, E. Rauch, C. Deschaux, P. Ficheux, and P. Levy Driving ability in sleep apnoea patients before and after CPAP treatment: evaluation on a road safety platform Eur. Respir. J., November 1, 2006; 28(5): 1020 - 1028. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]