Driving
a motor vehicle is a common rehabilitation goal following acquired
brain injury (ABI). There is increasing interest in the use of driving
simulators for driver rehabilitation post-ABI; however, there is still
limited research demonstrating efficacy and acceptability. This study
sought to examine the user experience of a driving simulator
intervention for ABI survivors. Semi-structured interviews were
conducted with 14 individuals, including 12 ABI survivors (42% male;
Mean age = 53.92 years, SD age = 17.63) who completed the intervention,
and 2 occupational therapist driver assessors who facilitated the
intervention. Thematic analysis was adopted to analyse interview data.
Findings suggest that individual differences (e.g., anxiety, previous
experience) influenced participant response to training. The
intervention allowed participants to practise various driving skills,
re-familiarize themselves with the task of driving, and prepare for
return to on-road driving within a safe environment. The intervention
was perceived to be useful for enhancing driver self-awareness,
autonomy, confidence and patience. Fidelity and simulator sickness were
considered limitations of the simulator technology. Subjective accounts
of the appropriateness of intervention components are also documented.
Overall, the simulator intervention was reported to be a positive
experience for participants. Themes emerging from this study can inform
future driving simulator interventions for ABI survivors.
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