Improving driving skills in veterans who have had strokes
Official title: Driving Simulator Training to Improve Driving Performance in Veteran Stroke Patients
Funded at VA Northern California Health Care Sys · NIH-11110013 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping veterans who have had strokes get back on the road safely by using driving simulators to practice their skills in a safe setting, so they can regain their independence without the risks of driving on real roads.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Northern California Health Care Sys NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Mather, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 1I01RX005300-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11110013 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are veterans who have suffered a stroke and are seeking to regain their driving abilities.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced a stroke or those who are unable to drive for other medical reasons may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on helping veterans who have experienced strokes regain their driving abilities through the use of driving simulators. The approach involves assessing the driving skills of these veterans in a safe, controlled environment, allowing for the identification of specific deficits that may affect their ability to drive. By using simulated driving scenarios, the research aims to provide targeted rehabilitation to improve their driving performance and enhance their independence. This method is particularly beneficial as it avoids the risks associated with on-road driving assessments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly enhance the independence and quality of life for veteran stroke patients by improving their driving skills.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that driving simulators can effectively assess and improve driving skills in individuals with brain injuries, indicating a promising approach.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Northern California Health Care Sys
Mather, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Parker, Krista Schendel — VA Northern California Health Care Sys
- Study coordinator: Parker, Krista Schendel
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
ARISE-CARE: Using AI to Improve Rehabilitation for Stroke Patients
A stroke rehabilitation project uses AI to help therapists deliver higher-quality care and make documentation easier for clinicians, with patients who have had a stroke in mind.
-
Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation to Improve Movement After Stroke
A new non-invasive technique called kilohertz Transcranial Magnetic Perturbation (kTMP) is being tested to improve arm movement in people who have chronic stroke.
-
Abbreviated heart MRI to quickly find stroke causes
A short MRI-based test is being developed to quickly and affordably identify the cause of an acute ischemic stroke in patients.
-
New AI approach to detect and predict atrial fibrillation after stroke
A patient-friendly AI-based method is being developed to spot atrial fibrillation early in people who have had a stroke, using wearable heart-rate signals.
-
Improving arm function recovery in stroke patients using advanced technology.
This study is looking to improve recovery for stroke patients by using smart technology to better understand how they move and feel right after a stroke, so that their rehabilitation can be personalized and more effective.
-
Using bionic exoskeletons to help stroke patients regain upper limb function
This study is testing new bionic devices that use muscle signals to help stroke patients regain movement and control of their arms and hands, making recovery easier and more effective.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.