Concurrent validity of a virtual reality driving assessment for persons with brain injury

In this article, we present the results of a pilot study to examine the dri ving performance of persons with brain injury using virtual reality (VR) te chnology. A total of 28 adult persons with a brain injury (22 males, 6 fema les) participated in a standardized driving evaluation, which included a VR driving environment, known as the DriVR. Concurrent validity of the DriVR was examined by comparing DriVR measures to other indicators of driving abi lity, which consisted of on-road, cognitive and visual-perceptual, and driv ing video tests. Statistically significant DriVR inter-correlations using t he Bonferroni correction were found between following a pace car (Follow Tr affic Event), and correctly parking a car (Driveway Choice Event) (r(pb) = -2. 65, p<.003), as well as for two measures of lane tracking (Shop Road an d Opposite Road), (r =. 98, p<.003). The DriVR appeared to be a useful adju nctive screening tool for assessing driving performance in persons with bra in injury. However, as with any new assessment and intervention tool, it wi ll need to undergo further empirical validation.