Driving with Multiple Sclerosis MANAGING MAJOR CHANGES Kim (Front Cover), Diagnosed in 1986
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Driving with Multiple Sclerosis MANAGING MAJOR CHANGES Kim (front cover), diagnosed in 1986. Driving with Multiple Sclerosis BY PAT NIEWOEHNER, BS, OTR/L, CDRS AND FLORIAN P. THOMAS, MD, PHD, NEUROLOGIST Patricia M. Niewoehner, BS, OTR/L, CDRS is an occupational therapist and certified driver rehabilitation specialist. She works in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department at the VA Medical Center in St. Louis, MO. She has been practicing in the field of driver rehabilitation for over 10 years. Dr. Thomas is board certified in neurology and spinal cord medicine and completed a neuroimmunology fellowship. He is a professor of Neurology at the St. Louis University School of Medicine and founder and director of the MS Centers at the St. Louis VA Medical Center and St. Louis University, both Partners in MS Care with the National MS Society. He has served in various functions including as a member of the board, the clinical advisory committee and the government relations committee of the Gateway Area Chapter of the National MS Society, which awarded him its 2006 Pathlighter Award, for more than 10 years. © 2013 NATIONAL MS SOCIETY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. driving performance, putting the person at an increased Introduction risk for an automobile crash. In addition, difficulties with information processing and visual-spatial skills are associated If you are reading this booklet you may have questions or with decreased driving performance. In other words, MS can concerns about how MS might affect your ability to drive impact many functions necessary for safe driving. Changes now or in the future. Driving — one of the many ways in MS over time may result in difficulty operating a car. Your we maintain our independence — is also one of the most ability to drive safely may be affected if you experience any of complex activities in our daily lives. In the same way that the following: other things we do can be affected by MS, the ability to drive can also be altered. Although symptoms associated n Difficulty getting into or out of a car with MS can affect the skills necessary for safe driving, n Muscle weakness or stiffness/spasms/cramps or pain, particularly adaptive automobile equipment is available to help you in the arms or right foot keep driving safely. Here we review the skills necessary n Loss of sensation in the feet or hands for safe driving, important information about driving n Impaired coordination evaluations, different types of adaptive auto equipment, and n Slowed reaction time Department of Motor Vehicle policies. Lastly, in an effort n Fatigue to maintain your independence if driving is no longer an option, other transportation options are reviewed. n Seizures or loss of consciousness n Blurred vision, blind spots, double vision, loss of color vision n Cognitive problems such as short-term memory loss; disorientation while driving such as forgetting your destination, Ways in which MS symptoms getting confused about where you are or missing exits; poor may affect your driving ability concentration; inability to multitask; and confusion about how to turn the car on or off and safety n Mood changes: depression and/or problems controlling anger Even if your MS symptoms seem to be mild and manageable, Research has shown that a person’s driving performance other indications that your driving safety may already be may be negatively affected by symptoms associated with compromised include automobile accidents or near misses, MS. For example, recent studies show that both cognitive moving violations, and the unwillingness of others to be a changes and spasticity (muscle stiffness or spasms) affect passenger while you are driving. 1 | Driving with Multiple Sclerosis Managing Major Changes | 2 Medical considerations Driving evaluations The severity of MS symptoms can vary considerably over If you or others are concerned about your ability to drive, time. Most people with MS experience exacerbations (also you may consider obtaining a comprehensive driving called attacks or relapses). During exacerbations driving evaluation. Driving evaluations help pinpoint any challenges may be difficult or unsafe, but may return to normal as you may be experiencing, as well as the appropriate adaptive the exacerbation ends and symptoms improve. However equipment to keep you safely on the road. people with progressive forms of MS may experience a slow Driver rehabilitation clinics are often located in medical worsening of abilities that can permanently affect driving. centers but may also be available in your community. A In addition, symptoms can fluctuate significantly during driving evaluation is performed by a driver rehabilitation the course of a day. For example, a person’s energy level is specialist (DRS) or certified driver rehabilitation specialist typically at its best during the first few hours after awakening, (CDRS). A DRS or CDRS is typically an occupational but declines as the day goes on. Planning daily activities therapist with specialized training in driver rehabilitation. around these fluctuations of energy is critical to optimizing The driving evaluation assesses your driving skills, and, personal safety and that of others while you are driving. if appropriate, also provides a recommendation for an Medications are available to help manage MS-related fatigue, appropriate vehicle type and adapted automobile equipment so it is important to talk with your doctor about your to meet your needs. Since the driving evaluation is usually treatment options and the best strategies for managing your performed by a therapist using specialized equipment, it is fatigue effectively. more comprehensive than a typical Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) road test. People with MS may be taking several medications to manage symptoms such as spasticity, mood changes, bladder While the length of the evaluation varies, you should expect problems, walking problems or pain. With increasing it to last about two hours; it includes an office-based numbers of such medications, and with increasing doses, assessment and a behind-the-wheel evaluation. The the likelihood increases that they could affect wakefulness, office-based assessment includes a review of your medical concentration, coordination and reaction time. If you think and driving history, and a look at how MS affects your that medication side effects may be affecting your driving, performance with other activities such as bathing, dressing talk with your healthcare provider about treatment options or medication management. You will be asked about specific you can consider to minimize their impact on your driving. 3 | Driving with Multiple Sclerosis Managing Major Changes | 4 problems you may have with driving, any citations you may have received while driving, motor vehicle accidents or near Adaptive automobile misses. In addition the following will be assessed: equipment n Functions such as strength, range of movement, coordination, sensation and motor speed Specialized adaptive equipment may be recommended to n Vision including visual acuity, depth perception, color vision and help you adjust for deficits that interfere with your driving; road sign recognition these could include: n Cognitive performance to determine how quickly your brain n Mechanical hand controls to operate the gas and brake processes information and how MS may be affecting memory, n Digital driving ring to operate the gas and brake (more visual searching and visual-spatial relations expensive than mechanical hand controls) If you demonstrate adequate vision, cognition and motor n Spinner knob to turn the steering wheel function during the office-based assessment, a behind-the- n Adaptive steering and/or braking mechanisms that require less wheel road test will be performed, usually in the facility effort vehicle. The road test will generally begin in low traffic areas n Hi-tech driving equipment for gas, brake and steering control and proceed to more complex or higher traffic areas. Your using a joystick or other one-handed devices may be an option ability to safely operate the car will be evaluated, including: for those with more involved physical impairments, although n Ability to transfer safely in and out of the vehicle extensive training is required and the costs may be quite high n Ability to stow any assistive devices like a wheelchair, walker, cane n Wide angle rear view mirror, larger outside driver and passenger side mirrors and/or a multi-panel rear view mirror n Ability to follow the rules of the road n Specialized seats to ease car transfers n Reaction time in identifying potential hazards on the road n Lifts for stowing wheelchairs and assistive devices n Reaction time maneuvering the vehicle and moving your foot back and forth between the gas and brake pedals n Lowered-floor vans equipped with a ramp or lift to accommodate a wheelchair n Visual searching, scanning and attention abilities n Use of good judgment before executing a maneuver (e.g., a left turn) Once the driver rehabilitation specialist has recommended specific auto equipment, you will need training on how to n Ability to multi-task use the equipment properly and safely. The training is usually n Ability to stay within a lane and to change lanes safely performed in the facility vehicle. Length of training varies n Safety awareness while driving depending on the type of equipment and the individual’s 5 | Driving with Multiple Sclerosis Managing Major Changes | 6 learning style. Training generally concludes when you have demonstrated safe