This Stage II randomized, controlled, longitudinal trial seeks to assess the acceptability, feasibility, and effects of a driving decision aid use among geriatric patients and providers. This multi-site trial will (1) test the driving decision aid (DDA) in improving decision making and quality (knowledge, decision conflict, values concordance and behavior intent); and (2) determine its effects on specific subpopulations of older drivers (stratified for cognitive function, decisional capacity, and attitudinally readiness for a mobility transition). The overarching hypotheses are that the DDA will help older adults make high-quality decisions, which will mitigate the negative psychosocial impacts of driving reduction, and that optimal DDA use will target certain populations and settings.
The investigators will use a multi-site, two-armed randomized controlled trial of older drivers (n=300; ≥70 years) from clinical settings, and one family member each (n=up to 300), with longitudinal follow-up. Study goals are to test how much the DDA improves outcomes and identify who benefits most from the DDA. Evaluation of the DDA's efficacy (Aim 1) and its relative effect in subgroups (Aim 2) corresponds to Stage II in the NIH Stage Model for Behavioral Intervention Development. Findings from Aims 1 \& 2 could identify necessary refinements (Stage I) and inform future efficacy, effectiveness or implementation trials.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
529
Healthwise DDA
National Institute on Aging (NIA) Older Drivers Website
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, California, United States
CU Anschutz Medical Center
Aurora, Colorado, United States
Indiana University
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Decisional Conflict Scale (DCS) Scores at Day 0 (Post-intervention)
Decision conflict scale (DCS) is calculated from 16 items, with each item ranging from 0 (strongly agree) to 4 (strongly disagree). The total score is reported on a 0-100 scale by summing all responses, dividing by 16 and multiplying by 25. Higher scores represent greater levels of uncertainty in decision-making (higher decision conflict = worse outcome), and interventions often aim to reduce decision conflict (lower decision conflict = greater likelihood of implementing a decision = better outcome).
Time frame: Day 0 (Post-intervention)
Values Clarity Subscale Score at Day 0 (Post-intervention)
For the values clarity subscale, three decision conflict scale (DCS) items (Likert scale responses from 0 \['strongly agree'\] to 4 \['strongly disagree'\]) are summed, divided by 3 and multiplied by 25; scores range from 0 (extremely clear) to 100 (extremely unclear about personal values); lower scores represent higher values clarity, which is a better outcome. Lower values clarity subscale scores are associated with positive outcomes. The measure will be assessed in drivers immediately following administration of control condition or intervention.
Time frame: Day 0 (Post-intervention)
Older Adult Driving Safety Knowledge Scores as Assessed by True/False Questions at Day 0 (Post-intervention)
The following true/false questions will be used to examine participants' safe driving knowledge: 1) Older drivers pose a bigger risk to other drivers and pedestrians than younger drivers do; 2) Drivers aged 70 years and older are more likely to be hurt or killed if they are in a crash; 3) There is a milestone age when everyone should stop driving; 4) With age, a person needs more light to see well; 5) Getting lost on familiar roads is a sign that it might be time to stop driving. A higher number of correctly answered questions indicate better outcomes. Knowledge will be defined as the percentage of correct scores of the 5 questions (ranging from 0% \[worst outcome\] to 100% \[best outcome\]). The measure will be assessed in drivers immediately following administration of control condition or intervention.
Time frame: Day 0 (Post-intervention)
Decision Self Efficacy Score at Day 0 (Post-intervention)
The Decision Self-Efficacy Scale will be used to assess decision self efficacy. Scores range from 0 (extremely low self-efficacy; worst outcome) to 100 (extremely high self-efficacy; best outcome). Higher scores indicate better outcomes. The measure will be assessed in drivers immediately following administration of control condition or intervention
Time frame: Day 0 (Post-intervention)
Change in Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) 4-item Depression Score
Depression will be measured using the PROMIS Short Form 4-item scale (4a Adult v1.0), with higher PROMIS scores indicating higher depression. PROMIS scores are presented as standardized T-scores (mean=50, standard deviation=10). Lower PROMIS depression scores indicate better outcomes (lower depression). Change in depression is calculated as the PROMIS depression score at each time point (6, 12, 18, or 24 months) minus the score at baseline (pre-randomization). Since PROMIS scores at each time point can range from 41.0 to 79.4, change in depression PROMIS scores can range from -38.4 to +38.4. Change-scores \> 0 represent increases in depression (poor outcome), and changes \<= 0 represent maintained or decreased depression (better outcome).
Time frame: 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months
Change in Ottawa Decision Regret Score
Change in decision regret will be measured by the Ottawa Decision Regret Scale. This validated measure correlates with decision satisfaction and conflict, and overall quality of life. Scored from 0-100, high scores represent higher regret. Lower scores indicate better outcomes. Decision regret was measured at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months, so change in decision regret can be calculated from 12 months (vs. 6 months), 18 months (vs. 6 months), and 24 months (vs 6 months). Since decision regret scores range from 0-100, change in decision regret scores range from -100 to + 100, with change-scores \<= 0 representing maintenance or decreases in decision regret (positive outcome) and change-scores \> 0 representing increased decision regret over time (negative outcome).
Time frame: 12 months, 18 months, 24 months
Change in Life Space Score
Life space is a global measure of mobility and community engagement. The Life-Space Assessment instrument (UAB Study of Aging) is a validated tool assessing recent mobility and function. Composite scores range from 0 (bedbound) to 120 (travel out of town every day without assistance); scores of ≤60 are correlated with lower levels of social participation and higher mortality. Higher scores indicate better outcomes. Change in life space can be calculated at 6 months (vs baseline), 12 months (vs baseline), 18 months (vs baseline), and 24 months (vs baseline). Since life space scores range from 0-120, change-scores in life space can range from -120 to +120. Maintained or increased life space (change-scores \>= 0) are positive outcomes, and decreased life space (change-scores \< 0) are negative outcomes.
Time frame: 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months
Change in Self-reported Driving Frequency
Self-reported driving frequency will be measured by number of days per week participants drive, with consideration of higher or lower frequency as a positive or negative outcome in the context of participant's intent to drive with lower or higher frequency. In the final study survey, this question was reworded, so participants were asked "during the past 6 months, have you reduced the number of days per week you normally drive?" with response options of "yes", "no", "I don't know". Percentage of those who answered "yes" at each time point are reported.
Time frame: 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months
Change in Self-reported Situational Driving Avoidance
Driving avoidance in certain situations will be measured by asking participants about their avoidance of riskier driving situations, e.g., nighttime driving, with consideration of avoidance in certain situations as a positive or negative outcome in the context of participant's intent to avoid these situations. Avoidance of night driving was worded as: "Using a scale from 1 to 7 where 1 is Not At All Comfortable and 7 is Completely Comfortable, how comfortable do you feel in the following situation?", and the situation presented was "Driving at night?". Higher scores indicate greater comfort with driving at night, and lower scores represent less comfort. Therefore, change-scores can range from -6 to + 6, with change-scores \>= 0 indicate maintained or increased comfort with driving at night, and change-scores \< 0 indicate reduced comfort in driving at night.
Time frame: 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months
Occurrence of Driving Cessation
Driving cessation will be measured by asking participants whether they are currently driving; all participants were currently driving at study baseline. Consideration of driving cessation as a positive or negative outcome will be determined in the context of participant's intent to engage in driving cessation. This question was worded as "Do you currently drive?" with response options of "yes" and "no". The numbers reported are those who said "no", which represents driving cessation. The wording of this question was added to the study after an early DSMB meeting, so less data are available for it at earlier time points.
Time frame: 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months
Occurrence of Self-reported Crashes
Occurrence of self-reported crashes will be measured by ≥1 crash versus no crashes, where ≥1 crash is a negative outcome.
Time frame: 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months
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