Digital driving data can track driving exposure and quality of life in Parkinson’s disease

Abstract

Objective: Parkinson’s disease (PD) impairs motor and non-motor functions. Driver strategies to compensate for impairments, like avoiding driving in risky environments, may reduce on-road risk at the cost of decreasing driver mobility, independence, and quality of life (QoL). It is unclear how PD symptoms link to driving risk exposure, strategies, and QoL. We assessed associations between PD symptoms and driving exposure (1) overall, (2) in risky driving environments, and (3) in relationship to QoL. Methods: Twenty-eight drivers with idiopathic PD were assessed using the Movement Disorders Society–Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) and RAND 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Real-world driving was monitored for 1 month. Overall driving exposure (miles driven) and risky driving exposure (miles driven in higher risk driving environments) were assessed across PD symptom severity. High traffic, night, and interstate roads were considered risky environments. Results: 18,642 miles (30,001 km) driven were collected. Drivers with PD with worse motor symptoms (MDS-UPDRS Part III) drove more overall (b = 0.17, P