Video Exercises Improve Abilities and Reduce Crash Risk

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Researchers presented new evidence
today that specialized computer-based cognitive training significantly reduces
crash risk in older drivers and bestows other quality of life benefits. The
presentations were made at the annual meeting of the Transportation Research
Board, a gathering of more than 10,000 transportation professionals, in
Washington, DC.
Dr. Karlene Ball, Chair of the Transportation Research Board Committee on
the Safe Mobility of Older Persons, presided over a series of presentations on
the impact of cognitive training on driving and mobility in older adults.
Drawing on data from a number of studies, the researchers indicated that
driving abilities of drivers over age 65 could be significantly improved with
just 10 hours of computer-based cognitive training.
The computerized training focuses on speed and accuracy and trains users
to increase their "useful field of view" -- the area from which a person can
extract visual information in a single glance. At age 30, the normal useful
field of view is relatively large and allows a driver to quickly process
information about objects moving toward the driver, which is critical for safe
driving. As people advance in age, their useful field of view generally
narrows. Scientists have developed UFOV(R) software technology to measure and
increase useful field of view.
In randomized controlled trials, subjects who were trained with the UFOV
software cut their crash risk in half, even as they drove as much or more as
untrained participants. In addition, those trained drivers were 40% less
likely to cease driving over the three years following their training than
their untrained counterparts. Researchers reported that driving cessation is
strongly linked to other declines in quality of life and to increases in
morbidity.
In other data analysis, researchers found participants trained with the
UFOV software were less likely than their untrained counterparts to undergo
serious decline in health-related quality of life. In addition, training
appeared to have protective effects against declines from geriatric
depression.
"I have spent most of my career studying cognitive fitness and its
relationship to everyday skills such as driving," said Dr. Ball. "Maintaining
safe driving ability is viewed as essential to independence for most older
adults, and we know having to give up driving can be psychologically unnerving
and can lead to poorer health and reduced function. We now have a way to
extend the period of safe driving, determining when older drivers should
consider giving up the keys, and helping people age with greater dignity and
vigor."
Dr. Ball of the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Dr. Daniel Roenker
of Western Kentucky University developed the UFOV software more than a decade
ago. Other researchers from around the world have developed a significant
body of evidence on the effectiveness of the software training. Researchers
presenting on the topic at TRB included: Drs. Ball and Roenker, Dr. Jerri
Edwards of the University of South Florida, Dr. Frederic Wolinsky of the
University of Iowa, Dr. Leslie Ross-Meadows of the Australian National
University, Dr. Gerald McGwin of the University of Alabama and Drs. Henry
Mahncke and Peter Delahunt of Posit Science(R) Corporation.
The UFOV software became commercially available for the first time this
past year as a part of the InSight(TM) brain fitness program from Posit
Science.
About Posit Science:
Posit Science is the leading provider of clinically validated brain
fitness programs. The company works with more than 50 scientists from
prestigious universities to design and test its computer-based programs. More
than 30 published papers show that in randomized controlled trials the
company's patented technologies significantly increase processing speed,
improve memory and attention, and enhance the quality of everyday life. Posit
Science has received grants from the National Institutes of Health and has
received numerous awards and accolades. The company's products, scientists and
science are currently featured in the PBS documentaries "The Brain Fitness
Program" and "Brain Fitness 2: Sight and Sound." For more information, visit
http://www.PositScience.com or call 1-800-599-6463.
SOURCE Posit Science

Peggy Jara, +1-415-568-3526, or Robbi Peele, +1-415-568-3559, both of Posit
Science