The Impact of Age, Sex, and Position on Visual-Motor Processing Speed and Reaction Time as Measured by the Vision Coach^TM

Abstract

Occupational therapists are in a unique position to screen and evaluate fitness to drive with both visual-motor processing speed and reaction time being important factors to consider when determining fitness to drive. This study uses the Vision Coach^TM to investigate the differences in visual-motor processing speed and reaction time across age and sex of healthy adults. It also explores whether the position of sitting or standing made any difference. The results showed no difference between male/female or standing/sitting positions. However, there was a statistically significant difference between age groups, with older adults demonstrating slower visual-motor processing speed and reaction times. These findings can be used for future studies to explore the impact of injury or disease on visual-motor processing speed and reaction times and its relation to fitness to drive.

Keywords:

• ageing
• fitness to drive
• processing speed
• reaction time
• Vision Coach
• visual scanning

Declaration of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Notes on contributors

Anne Dickerson

Dr. Anne Dickerson is a professor at East Carolina University. Dr. Dickerson is an international leader in occupational therapy research in areas of older adults, driver simulation, and drivers with autism spectrum disorder, and driver rehabilitation.

Rachel Gartz Taylor

Rachel Taylor, OTR/L completed her Master’s in Occupational Therapy at East Carolina University. She currently works at ECU Health Medical Center as an occupational therapist on the Spinal Cord Injury unit and adjunct professor at East Carolina University.

Joshua Register

Joshua Register, OTR/L is a therapist at Johnston Health Home Care and Hospice, in Raleigh, North Carolina. This study was completed as part of his master’s thesis in occupational therapy at East Carolina University.

Megan Miller

Megan Miller, OTR/L is an occupational therapist living in Ohio. This study was completed as part of her master’s thesis in occupational therapy at East Carolina University.