Driving with neuropathy
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Enabling people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy to drive safely: A proof of concept randomised controlled trial
IRAS ID
339577
Contact name
Dilwyn E Marple-Horvat
Contact email
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 4 months, 2 days
Research summary
Driving is very important to people for maintaining independence, but our research has shown that several aspects of driving are compromised by diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Using our extensive experience of driving research, including drivers with diabetes, we will test the long-term effectiveness of an intervention for improving driving performance and safety for drivers with DPN. We aim to reverse the pattern of impairment through skill-specific training, and so enable them to stay safely and independently mobile.
We identify in a driving simulator the specific pattern of changes in driving that develop as a consequence of DPN, including crucially impaired use of the accelerator pedal, using an automated, algorithm-based analysis. We can then alert the driver that their driving is affected, and how.
Participants will then drive in the simulator with a visual feedback driver assistance system that warns them when their use of the accelerator is unsafe. This therapeutic intervention will train drivers to reverse the effects of neuropathy on their driving.
Training at monthly intervals will reveal how the benefits accrue over an extended period, and assess the longterm effectiveness of such training; this is the first step towards incorporating the technique into an in-vehicle driver assistance system.REC name
North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/NW/0119
Date of REC Opinion
10 Jun 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion