Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40255519›Full record

ArticleCureus2025

Exploring Factors Influencing Driving Simulator Performance in Patients With Acquired Brain Injury Using Hierarchical Clustering Analysis of Principal Components.

Shuto Takehara, Tasuku Sotokawa, Yuta Tauchi, Toshiaki Sato, Rie Sakamoto, Yoshihiro Kanata, Kazuhisa Domen

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Cureus, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Shuto TakeharaDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, Hyogo Medical University Sasayama Medical Center, Hyogo, JPN.
Tasuku SotokawaGraduate School of Health Sciences, Yamagata Prefectural University of Health Sciences, Yamagata, JPN.
Yuta TauchiDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, Hyogo Medical University Sasayama Medical Center, Hyogo, JPN.
Toshiaki SatoGraduate School of Health Sciences, Yamagata Prefectural University of Health Sciences, Yamagata, JPN.
Rie SakamotoDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, Hyogo Medical University Sasayama Medical Center, Hyogo, JPN.
Yoshihiro KanataDepartment of Rehabilitationl Medicine, Hyogo Medical University Sasayama Medical Center, Hyogo, JPN.
Kazuhisa DomenDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, Hyogo Medical University School of Medicine, Hyogo, JPN.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background Driving simulator training is widely recognized as an effective tool for driving rehabilitation. However, the key factors influencing simulator performance and the extent of training-related improvements remain insufficiently explored. This study aimed to identify the demographic, motor, and cognitive factors associated with driving simulator performance and post-training improvements in patients with acquired brain injury (ABI) using clustering analysis. Methods A total of 64 patients with ABI (59% cerebral hemorrhage, 34% cerebral infarction, 7% traumatic brain injury; mean age 64±13 years; 81% male) underwent comprehensive neuropsychological assessments and driving simulator evaluations before and after training. Multiple factor analysis was applied to integrate pre- and post-training variables and reduce dimensionality. Hierarchical Clustering on Principal Components was then performed to classify patients based on training effect patterns. The Kruskal-Wallis test and post hoc multiple comparisons were used to assess differences in background factors among the clusters. Results Three distinct clusters were identified: Cluster 1 (n=32) exhibited consistently high performance in reaction and city-driving tasks, Cluster 2 (n=19) demonstrated prolonged reaction times but showed significant improvements in city-driving tasks after training, and Cluster 3 (n=13) demonstrated severe city-driving errors and limited post-training improvement. Neuropsychological assessments revealed significant differences among the clusters (p < 0.05), with Cluster 1 consistently outperforming Clusters 2 and 3 across multiple cognitive domains, including attention, cognitive flexibility, visuospatial abilities, memory, and executive function. Conclusion Neuropsychological assessments may serve as predictors of both baseline driving performance and post-training improvements. Tailoring interventions to individual cognitive profiles, particularly focusing on attention, visuospatial abilities, and executive function, may enhance the efficacy of simulator-based rehabilitation and support the safe resumption of driving. Future longitudinal studies should examine how targeted cognitive training might improve driving performance in patients with different cognitive profiles.

Indexed as

acquired brain injurydriving rehabilitationdriving simulatormotor functionmultiple factor analysisneuropsychological testprincipal components clusteringstroketraining effectstraumatic brain injury

Identifiers

PMID40255519
PMCPMC12008731

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.