Effects of Visual Field Restriction on the Stability of Human Head Position During Walking

The stability of human head position during walking was investigated, using angular velocity sensors, with emphasis on the effects of restriction of the visual field. The results (i) confirm the stability of head position during normal walking and (ii) demonstrate the importance of information from the peripheral visual field, as seen by differences in the amplitude of head movements. The effects of searching behavior on the head movements are discussed

ELDERLY DRIVING BEHAVIOR AND COGNITIVE FUNCTIONS

To analyze the relationship between cognitive functions, driving conditions, and driving behavior among participants in driving license renewal courses for the elderly. Method: Analysis was performed on data from 79 elderly people who attended license renewal courses at driving schools and agreed to take part in this study. Data acquisition on cognitive function and driving behavior were performed through the use of driving simulation tests, actual driving behavior assessments at the schools, as well as a unique set of questionnaires and Trail Making Tests (TMT). Result: Subjects who fared better in the TMT-A test, which measured processing speed, had a significantly higher incidence of accidents involving minor property damage (P=0.038), demonstrated better results in simple reaction time (P=0.009) and steering error rate (P=0.049), and needed less advice for negotiating bends during driver assessment (P=0.030), compared to subjects from the lower achievement group. According to the TMT-B test, which required more complex cognitive processing, driving frequency (P=0.019), simple reaction time deviation (P=0.049), and steering error rate (P=0.011) were better in subjects who completed the test, compared to those who did not, and significantly fewer (P=0.027) subjects required advice for problems relating to passing parked vehicle during driving behavior. Discussions: Of the 30 items monitored in the study, significant differences were evident in only a few. Because the evidence did not suggest a particular link to accident experience, it will be necessary to obtain objective data from other cognitive function tests and driving behavior for reassessment. various problems related to elderly driving in Japan were discussed

The effects of anti-histamines on the regional cerebral blood flow during a car driving simulation game

It is well known that anti-histamines have significant CNS side effects such as sleepiness and impaired psychomotor performance, which might induce traffic accidents. There are some reports about the effects of anti-histamines on a car driving performance, but the mechanism has not been understood yet. We examined the changes of the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) during a simulated car driving after oral administration of sedative anti-histamine by positron emission tomography (PET). Right-handed, healthy male volunteers (n=7, age 20-25 y. o. ) performed a car driving on a simulated game after oral administration of d-chlorpheniramine (6mg) and placebo. Their rCBF was examined during 1) rest with closed eye, 2) playing a game (active driving) by PET with H2 15O. After oral administration of placebo, the significant increase of rCBF was found in the occipital lobe (Brodmann Area 17, 18, 19), parietal lobe (BA 7) and cerebellum during active driving compared with the resting condition(p<0. 001). Compared to placebo, d- chlorpheniramine produced the significant increase of rCBF in the frontal lobe (BA 6, 8, 9, 11) and temporal lobe (BA 21) during active driving(p<0. 005). It suggests that more attention to visual perception, decision and sensori- motor control is needed after administration of anti- histamines than placebo

Brake reaction time during actual car-driving examination: comparative study of fexofenadine and hydroxyzine

To assess the effects of sedative and non-sedatinve antihistamines on psychometric performance related to car driving, an on-the-road test of brake reaction time (BRT) was measured using an experimental car. In a 3-way, double blind randomised crossover study, 18 healthy volunteers received hydroxyzine 30 mg, fexofenadine 120 mg and placebo over a 4 hour period with a washout period of 7 days between treatments. Psychometric assessments included on-the-road BRT and subjective measures of sedation and sleep parameters. Subjects were also requested to perform BRI tasks under the following conditions; 1) baseline BRT measurement (the car did not run), 2) during normal driving, 3) during driving and talking on the celluar phone. As a result, fexofenadine had no significant effect on BRI compared with placebo. Subjective sleepiness was not impaired, either, with fexofenadine. Hydroxyzine 30 mg impaired BRT during driving and talking on the phone and subjective tests. In conclusion, fexofenadine 120 mg has no psychomotor toxicity and has no negative impact on BRT

Influence of Restrictive Ventilation Impairment on Physical Function and Activities of Homebound Elderly Persons

Background: Examinations of respiratory function and respiratory muscle strength are evaluation methods for stamina factors, but instantaneous ability evaluation is disproportionately emphasized in evaluations of elderly persons. Methods: The participants were 290 persons who were capable of undergoing respiratory examinations. The participants were firstly divided into two groups; 42 persons in a normal group (percentage of forced vital capacity ≥80%) and 42 patients in a restrictive group (percentage of forced vital capacity <80%). The participants were then subcategorized into three groups; 21 participants were randomly selected from the normal group (normal-1), 20 regularly exercising restrictive participants were assigned to a restrictive training group (RTG), and 22 participants who did not exercise were assigned to a restrictive nontraining group (RNTG). The measured parameters were respiratory function, cognitive function, spinal alignment, muscle strength, skeletal muscle volume, gait evaluation, subjective feelings of life, and active ability. Results: Six-minute walk test was significantly lower in the restrictive group compared with the normal group (p<0.05). Walking time of the 10-m obstruction course in the normal-1 group differed significantly from the RTG (p<0.05) and RNTG (p<0.01). Highest walking speed, Timed Up and Go test, and 6-minute walk test did not significantly differ between the normal-1 group and RTG, but significant differences were observed between the normal-1 group and RNTG (p<0.01, p<0.05, and p<0.05, respectively). Conclusions: Although patients with restrictive ventilation impairment were unlikely to be aware of their disorder, degradation in systemic stamina had already commenced. It appears that maintaining exercise habits prevented degradation of not only instantaneous walking ability but also of systemic stamina