Background and objectives

With the number of older adult drivers on the road increasing, more older adults are experiencing age-related changes in cognitive functions necessary for driving. Previous research suggests electroencephalography (EEG) may be a useful methodology for assessing these changes, given its high temporal resolution. However, the relationship between specific EEG markers and components of driving performance in older adults is currently unknown. The aim of this scoping review is to examine the current state of knowledge on EEG measures and driving performance in older adults.

Methods

This scoping review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Papers were eligible for inclusion if they examined a) the relationship between EEG and driving performance measures or b) EEG and driving performance measures simultaneously, in older adults aged 55 years and older.

Results

A total of 468 papers were identified, and six papers were included in the final analysis. Results indicate frequency band analyses and event-related potentials are the most commonly used EEG measures to assess changes in driving performance. However, there is considerable variability between the current studies, in terms of the sample sizes, experimental design and the variables of interest.

Conclusions

Considerable methodological heterogeneity and the lack of experimental data using cognitive paradigms for EEG, limits the ability to draw conclusions on the relationship between neurocognitive changes and driving performance in older adults. Directions for future research are discussed.

No abstract available.