Fermented Papaya and Driving Simulator Older Adult Study

Overview

Yes, this additional detail will refine the original template content to emphasize the study's specific aims and hypotheses. Here's an updated version: The goal of this clinical trial is to assess if Fermented Papaya Preparation (FPP) can enhance driving performance and reduce driving errors in community-dwelling older adults aged 70-80, who serve as their own controls. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does FPP reduce the total number of driving errors, particularly those related to psychomotor performance? Does FPP improve driving-related cognitive functions, such as divided attention, working memory, reaction time, and executive function? How do FPP dosage, timing, and acute effects impact driving performance in adults aged 65 and older? Participants will: Consume three doses of FPP (3 grams per dose) within 24 hours, with the final dose administered before the simulator driving test. Complete a high-fidelity driving simulation to assess the association between FPP use and driving errors that predict on-road performance. Undergo baseline and post-FPP cognitive assessments to compare psychomotor performance and cognitive functions after FPP administration.

This study, titled "Fermented Papaya and Driving Simulator Older Adult Study," investigates the association between Fermented Papaya Preparation (FPP) and driving performance in adults aged 70-80 using a high-fidelity driving simulator. With the aging population growing and driving safety as a critical issue among older adults, this study aims to determine whether FPP-a known antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties-can enhance cognitive functions essential for safe driving, including attention, working memory, reaction time, and executive functions. Participants will undergo three driving assessments in the simulator: a baseline test, a short-term follow-up (within 24 hours after FPP administration), and a long-term follow-up at 8 weeks. Each participant acts as their own control, providing comparative data on FPP's effects over time. The primary endpoints include reductions in driving errors associated with psychomotor performance and improvements in divided attention and executive functions. Technical Aspects and Measures: Simulator Setup and Scenario: The RTI high-fidelity simulator used in this study provides a realistic and controlled driving environment, replicating common on-road scenarios such as lane changes, reactions to environmental cues, and avoidance maneuvers. Scenarios are randomized to control for learning effects. Visual and Cognitive Testing: Standardized tests, such as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and the Useful Field of View, will measure baseline cognitive abilities and potential changes following FPP administration. Simulator Sickness Management: To ensure comfort, a simulator sickness protocol is in place, including pre-study dietary recommendations and a controlled lab environment with ventilation and temperature settings. This study could yield significant data on FPP's impact on driving skills, supporting the potential for nutraceutical interventions in promoting driving safety and independence among older adults.