Predictors of Return to Driving After Stroke

Objective: Although returning to driving is a major concern for many survivors of stroke, predicting who will return to driving after a stroke is often difficult for rehabilitation professionals. The primary aim of this study was to identify patient factors present at admission to an inpatient rehabilitation hospital that can be used to identify which patients who have had acute stroke will and will not return to driving. Design: After comparing returners and nonreturners on demographic and clinical characteristics, a logistic regression model with return to driving as the outcome variable was built using the backward stepwise method. Results: Thirty-one percent (48/156) of the patients who had been driving before their stroke returned to driving 6 mos after stroke. The final regression model, using Functional Independence Measure cognition and lower extremity Motricity Index scores, predicted the driving outcome with an accuracy of 75% (107/143). Conclusions: Patients with lower Functional Independence Measure cognition and lower extremity Motricity Index scores at admission to inpatient rehabilitation are less likely to return to driving at 6 mos. This model could be used by rehabilitation professionals to help counsel patients and their families and focus treatment goals.