Useful Field Of View Subtest Research Articles

A meta-analysis of perceptual and cognitive functions involved in useful-field-of-view test performance.

The useful-field-of-view (UFOV) test measures the amount of information someone can extract from a visual scene in one glance. Its scores show relatively strong relationships with everyday activities. The UFOV test consists of three computer tests, suggested to measure processing speed and central vision, divided attention, and selective attention. However, other functions seem to be involved as well. In order to investigate the contribution of these suggested and other perceptual and cognitive functions, we performed a meta-analysis of 116 Pearson's correlation coefficients between UFOV scores and other test scores reported in 18 peer-reviewed articles. We divided these correlations into nine domains: attention, executive functioning, general cognition, memory, spatial ability, visual closure, contrast sensitivity, visual processing speed, and visual acuity. A multivariate mixed-effects model analysis revealed that each domain correlated significantly with each of the UFOV subtest scores. These correlations were stronger for Subtests 2 and 3 than for Subtest 1. Furthermore, some domains were more strongly correlated to the UFOV than others across subtests. We did not find interaction effects between subtest and domain, indicating that none of the UFOV subtests is more selectively sensitive to a particular domain than the others. Thus, none of the three UFOV subtests seem to measure one clear construct. Instead, a range of visual and cognitive functions is involved. Perhaps this is the reason for the UFOV's high ecological validity, as it involves many functions at once, making it harder to compensate if one of them fails.

The useful field of view assessment predicts simulated commercial motor vehicle driving safety

ABSTRACTObjective: The Useful Field of View (UFOV) assessment, a measure of visual speed of processing, has been shown to be a predictive measure of motor vehicle collision (MVC) involvement in an older adult population, but it remains unknown whether UFOV predicts commercial motor vehicle (CMV) driving safety during secondary task engagement. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the UFOV assessment predicts simulated MVCs in long-haul CMV drivers.Method: Fifty licensed CMV drivers (Mage = 39.80, SD = 8.38, 98% male, 56% Caucasian) were administered the 3-subtest version of the UFOV assessment, where lower scores measured in milliseconds indicated better performance. CMV drivers completed 4 simulated drives, each spanning approximately a 22.50-mile distance. Four secondary tasks were presented to participants in a counterbalanced order during the drives: (a) no secondary task, (b) cell phone conversation, (c) text messaging interaction, and (d) e-mailing interaction with an on-board dispatch device.Results: The selective attention subtest significantly predicted simulated MVCs regardless of secondary task. Each 20 ms slower on subtest 3 was associated with a 25% increase in the risk of an MVC in the simulated drive. The e-mail interaction secondary task significantly predicted simulated MVCs with a 4.14 times greater risk of an MVC compared to the no secondary task condition. Subtest 3, a measure of visual speed of processing, significantly predicted MVCs in the email interaction task. Each 20 ms slower on subtest 3 was associated with a 25% increase in the risk of an MVC during the email interaction task.Conclusions: The UFOV subtest 3 may be a promising measure to identify CMV drivers who may be at risk for MVCs or in need of cognitive training aimed at improving speed of processing. Subtest 3 may also identify CMV drivers who are particularly at risk when engaged in secondary tasks while driving.

Incremental validity of Useful Field of View subtests for the prediction of instrumental activities of daily living

ABSTRACTIntroduction: The Useful Field of View Test (UFOV®) is a cognitive measure that predicts older adults’ ability to perform a range of everyday activities. However, little is known about the individual contribution of each subtest to these predictions, and the underlying constructs of UFOV performance remain a topic of debate. Method: We investigated the incremental validity of UFOV subtests for the prediction of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) performance in two independent datasets, the SKILL (n = 828) and ACTIVE (n = 2426) studies. We then explored the cognitive and visual abilities assessed by UFOV using a range of neuropsychological and vision tests administered in the SKILL study. Results: In the four subtest variant of UFOV, only Subtests 2 and 3 consistently made independent contributions to the prediction of IADL performance across three different behavioral measures. In all cases, the incremental validity of UFOV Subtests 1 and 4 was negligible. Furthermore, we found that UFOV was related to processing speed, general nonspeeded cognition, and visual function; the omission of Subtests 1 and 4 from the test score did not affect these associations. Conclusions: UFOV Subtests 1 and 4 appear to be of limited use to predict IADL and possibly other everyday activities. Future research should investigate whether shortening UFOV by omitting these subtests is a reliable and valid assessment approach.

Relation between Multiple Markers of Work-Related Fatigue.

BackgroundWork-related fatigue has a strong impact on performance and safety but so far, no agreed upon method exists to detect and quantify it. It has been suggested that work-related fatigue cannot be quantified with just one test alone, possibly because fatigue is not a uniform construct. The purpose of this study is therefore to measure work-related fatigue with multiple tests and then to determine the underlying factorial structure.MethodsTwenty-eight employees (mean: 36.11; standard deviation 13.17) participated in five common fatigue tests, namely, posturography, heart rate variability, distributed attention, simple reaction time, and subjective fatigue before and after work. To evaluate changes from morning to afternoon, t tests were conducted. For further data analysis, the differences between afternoon and morning scores for each outcome measure and participant (Δ scores) were submitted to factor analysis with varimax rotation and each factor with the highest-loading outcome measure was selected. The Δ scores from tests with single and multiple outcome measures were submitted for a further factor analysis with varimax rotation.ResultsThe statistical analysis of the multiple tests determine a factorial structure with three factors: The first factor is best represented by center of pressure (COP) path length, COP confidence area, and simple reaction time. The second factor is associated with root mean square of successive difference and useful field of view (UFOV). The third factor is represented by the single Δ score of subjective fatigue.ConclusionWork-related fatigue is a multidimensional phenomenon that should be assessed by multiple tests. Based on data structure and practicability, we recommend carrying out further studies to assess work-related fatigue with manual reaction time and UFOV Subtest 2.

Predicting Motor Vehicle Collisions in a Driving Simulator in Young Adults Using the Useful Field of View Assessment

Objective: Being involved in motor vehicle collisions is the leading cause of death in 1- to 34-year-olds, and risk is particularly high in young adults. The Useful Field of View (UFOV) task, a cognitive measure of processing speed, divided attention, and selective attention, has been shown to be predictive of motor vehicle collisions in older adults, but its use as a predictor of driving performance in a young adult population has not been investigated. The present study examined whether UFOV was a predictive measure of motor vehicle collisions in a driving simulator in a young adult population.Method: The 3-subtest version of UFOV (lower scores measured in milliseconds indicate better performance) was administered to 60 college students. Participants also completed an 11-mile simulated drive to provide driving performance metrics.Results: Findings suggested that subtests 1 and 2 suffered from a ceiling effect. UFOV subtest 3 significantly predicted collisions in the simulated drive. Each 30 ms slower on the subtest was associated with nearly a 10% increase in the risk of a simulated collision. Post hoc analyses revealed a small partially mediating effect of subtest 3 on the relationship between driving experience and collisions.Conclusion: The selective attention component of UFOV subtest 3 may be a predictive measure of crash involvement in a young adult population. Improvements in selective attention may be the underlying mechanism in how driving experience improves driving performance.

Can we improve clinical prediction of at-risk older drivers?

ObjectivesTo conduct a pilot study to evaluate the predictive value of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment test (MoCA) and a brief test of multiple object tracking (MOT) relative to other tests of cognition and attention in identifying at-risk older drivers, and to determine which combination of tests provided the best overall prediction. MethodsForty-seven currently licensed drivers (58–95 years), primarily from a clinical driving evaluation program, participated. Their performance was measured on: (1) a screening test battery, comprising MoCA, MOT, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Trail-Making Test, visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and Useful Field of View (UFOV) and (2) a standardized road test. ResultsEighteen participants were rated at-risk on the road test. UFOV subtest 2 was the best single predictor with an area under the curve (AUC) of .84. Neither MoCA nor MOT was a better predictor of the at-risk outcome than either MMSE or UFOV, respectively. The best four-test combination (MMSE, UFOV subtest 2, visual acuity and contrast sensitivity) was able to identify at-risk drivers with 95% specificity and 80% sensitivity (.91 AUC). ConclusionsAlthough the best four-test combination was much better than a single test in identifying at-risk drivers, there is still much work to do in this field to establish test batteries that have both high sensitivity and specificity.

A population-based examination of the visual and ophthalmological characteristics of licensed drivers aged 70 and older.

Safe driving performance depends on visual skills yet little is known about the prevalence of vision impairments in older drivers and the eye conditions that cause them. This study is a population-based examination of the prevalence of vision impairment and major ophthalmological conditions among drivers aged 70 and older. The source population was a random sample of 2,000 licensed drivers aged 70 and older residing in north central Alabama. All had driven within the past 3 months. Binocular visual acuity and contrast sensitivity were assessed. The Useful Field of View subtest 2 and Trails B assessed visual processing speed. Ophthalmological diagnoses for cataract, intraocular lens placement, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy were obtained through medical records from the most recent eye examination. Ninety-two percent of drivers had visual acuity of 20/40 or better; only two drivers (0.1%) had acuity worse than 20/100. Ninety-three percent had normal contrast sensitivity (≥1.5). About 40% had slowed visual processing speed (44%, Useful Field of View; 38%, Trails B). The most common eye condition was cataract, with more than half having cataract in one or both eyes (56%); yet by the 80s and 90s, the prevalence was low, with most drivers having undergone cataract surgery and intraocular lens placement. This population-based study suggests that serious impairment in central vision-visual acuity or contrast sensitivity-is rather uncommon in older drivers; however, slowed visual processing speed is common.

Usefulness of Screening Tools for Predicting Driving Performance in People With Parkinson’s Disease

We used screening tests administered by a certified driving rehabilitation specialist and by Parkinson's disease (PD) specialty neurologists to develop a model to predict on-road outcomes for patients with PD. We administered a battery of screening tests to 41 patients with PD and 41 age-matched control participants before on-road testing. We used statistical models to predict actual on-road performance. The PD group had a higher failure rate, indicating more on-road errors. For the PD participants, the Useful Field of View (UFOV) Subtest 2 and Rapid Pace Walk were responsible for most of the variance in the on-road test. The model accurately categorized pass-fail outcomes for 81% of PD patients. Clinical screening batteries may be predictive of driving performance in PD. The UFOV Subtest 2, administered in approximately 15 min, may be the single most useful clinical test for such predictions.

Roadwise review has limited congruence with actual driving performance of aging drivers

The Roadwise Review (RR) CD-ROM has been proposed as one way for older drivers to self-evaluate the skills that support safe driving. To better gauge the utility of RR for that purpose, further validation of RR vis-à-vis measures of driving performance is needed. We carried out this study to provide such validation. We correlated the results of the standard Useful Field of View subtest 2 (UFOV-2) and Trail Making Test (TMT) parts A and B to the corresponding RR subsections on visual information processing and visual search. We further examined the correlations between on-road performance (based on demerit points) and RR results (absolute scores and number of problems identified). The correlations between UFOV-2, TMT and the relevant RR sections ranged from .46 to .61. The correlations between demerit points and RR absolute values ranged from −.40 to .50. The correlations between demerit points and the number of problems identified by RR ranged from −.24 to .45. Using a “pass/fail” approach we also failed to find a relationship with the number of problems. These results indicate limited convergence between findings obtained with RR and actual performance using standardized approaches. Such results emphasize the importance of developing a rigorous data synthesis process before attempting knowledge translation of material aimed at older drivers.

Older drivers: On-road and off-road test results

Eighty-five volunteer drivers, 65–85 years old, without cognitive impairments impacting on their driving were examined, in order to investigate driving errors characteristic for older drivers. In addition, any relationships between cognitive off-road and on-road tests results, the latter being the gold standard, were identified. Performance measurements included Trail Making Test (TMT), Nordic Stroke Driver Screening Assessment (NorSDSA), Useful Field of View (UFOV), self-rating driving performance and the two on-road protocols P-Drive and ROA. Some of the older drivers displayed questionable driving behaviour. In total, 21% of the participants failed the on-road assessment. Some of the specific errors were more serious than others. The most common driving errors embraced speed; exceeding the speed limit or not controlling the speed. Correlations with the P-Drive protocol were established for NorSDSA total score (weak), UFOV subtest 2 (weak), and UFOV subtest 3 (moderate). Correlations with the ROA protocol were established for UFOV subtest 2 (weak) and UFOV subtest 3 (weak). P-Drive and self ratings correlated weakly, whereas no correlation between self ratings and the ROA protocol was found. The results suggest that specific problems or errors seen in an older person's driving can actually be “normal driving behaviours”.

The validity of the Color Trail Test in the pre-driver assessment of individuals with acquired brain injury

Primary objective: To examine the validity of the Color Trails Test (CTT), a culture- fair analogue of the Trails Test, in the pre-driver assessment of individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI).Research design: Retrospective study.Methods and procedures: 30 participants with ABI completed the CTT and Useful Field of View (UFOV) in a driving rehabilitation clinic. Within the same week an on-road evaluation was conducted by a driving rehabilitation specialist, and a driving instructor.Results: 50% of the participants passed the on-road evaluation and 50% failed. Individuals who passed the on-road test performed the CTT1 and CTT2 faster than those who failed, however the difference between the pass/fail groups was significant only for the CTT1. A correlation analysis between the CTT subtests (CTT1 and CTT2) and the UFOV subtests revealed significant, moderate correlations between these measures.Conclusions: The CTT1 may contribute to the pre-driving screening by rapidly identifying those individuals who are most at risk for unsafe driving behaviors. Further studies are required with a larger representative sample.

Can High‐Risk Older Drivers Be Identified Through Performance‐Based Measures in a Department of Motor Vehicles Setting?

To evaluate the relationship between performance-based risk factors and subsequent at-fault motor vehicle collision (MVC) involvement in a cohort of older drivers. Prospective cohort study. Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) field sites in Maryland. Of the 4,173 older drivers invited to participate in the study, 2,114 individuals aged 55 to 96 agreed to do so. These analyses focus on 1,910 individuals recruited through MVA field sites. Gross Impairment Screening Battery, which included Rapid Pace Walk, Head/Neck Rotation, Foot Tap, Arm Reach, Cued Recall, Symbol Scan, Visual Closure subtest of the Motor Free Visual Perception Test (MVPT), Delayed Recall, and Trail Making Test with an Abbreviated Part A and standard Part B; Useful Field of View (UFOV) subtest 2; a Mobility Questionnaire; and MVC occurrence. In drivers aged 55 and older with intact vision (20/70 far visual acuity and 140 degrees visual field), age, sex, history of falls, and poorer cognitive performance, as measured using Trails B, MVPT, and UFOV subtest 2, were predictive of future at-fault MVC involvement. After adjusting for annual mileage, participants aged 78 and older were 2.11 as more likely to be involved in an at-fault MVC, those who made four or more errors on the MVPT were 2.10 times as likely to crash, those who took 147 seconds or longer to complete Trails B were 2.01 times as likely to crash, and those who took 353 ms or longer on subtest 2 of the UFOV were 2.02 times as likely to incur an at-fault MVC. Older adults, men, and individuals with a history of falls were more likely to be involved in subsequent at-fault MVCs. Performance-based cognitive measures are predictive of future at-fault MVCs in older adults. Cognitive performance, in particular, is a salient predictor of subsequent crash involvement in older adults. High-risk older drivers can be identified through brief, performance-based measures administered in a MVA setting.

Acquired brain injury, visual attention, and the useful field of view test: a pilot study

Calvanio R, Williams R, Burke DT, Mello J, Lepak P, Al-Adawi S, Shah MK. Acquired brain injury, visual attention, and the Useful Field of View Test: a pilot study. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2004:85:474–8. Objective To compare the findings of the Useful Field of View (UFOV) test with those of conventional neuropsychologic tests to determine the utility of the UFOV test as a measure of attention in a population with brain injury. Design Cohort study. Setting Freestanding rehabilitation hospital. Participants Fifteen inpatients with severe brain injury. Interventions Not applicable. Main outcome measures UFOV test, FIM\\T instrument, length of stay (LOS), and standard neuropsychologic testing. Results The UFOV subtest UF2 correlated strongly with the other 2 subtests, UF1 and UF3. The UF2 subtest correlated most strongly with paper and pencil tests of visual attention. The UF2 predicted 52% of the FIM change and 60% of the LOS variance, second only to admission FIM score, which predicted 75% and 80% of FIM change and LOS variance, respectively. Conclusions Among the patients in our study, the UFOV test can be used to determine the visual divided attention of patients with acquired brain injury. The results also showed that the UFOV test correlated with LOS and FIM change in patients with acquired brain injury recovering in a rehabilitation facility. Because the UFOV test is much more quickly administered and scored than other measures of attention and divided attention, these results suggest that the UFOV test may provide an easy means to measure a critical variable in the population with head injury.