Contributing Factors Analysis for the Driving Status in Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

Objective To provide informations on contributing factors analysis for the driving status in spinal cord injured people through basic statistics from an analysis of the survey results. Method The survey was administered to 121 spinal cord injured persons with no evidence of head injury. Subjects were divided to driver group and non-driver group and compared to their general charateristics, neurologic characteristics, status of activity of daily living (ADL). Logistic regression was used to analyze contributing factors for the driving status. Results Forty-four (36.4%) of 121 respondents were driving and among them male drivers were 35 (79.6%). The average age and the age at the time of injury were lower in the driver group than non-driver group. Among complete lesions, C7 was the highest level who could drive independently. The mean score of ADL was significantly higher in the driver group than non-driver group. The significant factors that affect the driving of spinal cord injured persons were sex, age, age at the time of injury, Frankel type, motor score, jobs after their injury, compensations for their accidents, means of ambulation, sports activities, and ADL status. Especilly significant factors were age at the time of injury, means of ambulation, ADL status. Conclusion We suggested that the driver training should be an essential part of the rehabilitaion program for the spinal cord injured people to maximize their quality of life in the community.