Authors' objectives: To assess the efficacy/ effectiveness, safety and cost-effectiveness of driving simulator for vehicle driving among patients with/ recover from various health conditions such as stroke patients, brain injuries and visual impairment.

Authors' results and conclusions: The outcomes of the driving simulator varied depending on types of illnesses, driving simulators specifications, and driving environments. The retrievable evidence showed that the driving simulator able to assess the capabilities of the patients in controlling their physical/ sensory skills, and cognitive-perceptual while taking turn, break or handling any emergency reactions while driving. It enables the assessor to determine whether the patients can return to drive or not. The driving simulator allowed the patients to practice various driving skills, re-familiarize themselves with the task of driving and prepare for return to on-road driving within a safe environment. In terms of safety, simulator sickness occurred such as headaches, heaviness in the head, eye-strain and difficulty focusing and dizziness/vertigo due to sharp movements of the screen, increases in environmental stimuli and going around corners. Others were fatigue, nausea, general discomfort and upper limbs soreness due to prolong used of the steering wheels. There was no study on cost-effectiveness of driving simulator retrieved, however, the price for the driving simulator machine was varied depends on types, brands and specifications.

Authors' recommendations: Driving simulator may be included in driving rehabilitation programme as one of training tools before patients with neurological disorders can be allowed on-road driving.

Authors' methods: A systematic review was conducted. Review protocol and search strategy was developed by the main author and Information Specialist. The following electronic databases were searched through the Ovid interface: Ovid MEDLINE® In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations and Ovid MEDLINE® 1946 to September 2021. Parallel searches were run in PubMed, US FDA and INAHTA database. No limits were applied to the search. Additional articles were identified from reviewing the references of retrieved articles. The last search was performed on 23rd September 2021.

Authors' identified further research: Most of the included studies in this review had small sample size which might not reflect the whole population of interest.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2021

URL for published report: https://www.moh.gov.my/index.php/database_stores/store_view_page/30/381

Requestor: Ministry of Health, decision-making committee

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Mini HTA

Country: Malaysia

Organisation Name: Malaysian Health Technology Assessment

Contact Address: Malaysian Health Technology Assessment Section, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Federal Government Administrative Centre, Level 4, Block E1, Parcel E, 62590 Putrajaya Malaysia Tel: +603 8883 1229

Contact Name: htamalaysia@moh.gov.my

Contact Email: htamalaysia@moh.gov.my

Copyright: Malaysian Health Technology Assessment Section (MaHTAS)