Computerized video tasks as training techniques for driving-related perceptual deficits of persons with brain damage: a pilot evaluation.

This pilot study investigated the modifiability of perceptual deficits by training which consisted of performing microcomputer-generated video tasks. These commercially available remedial programs tapped a range of skills, such as right/left discrimination, color matching, visual scanning, judgment of line orientation, visual search, shape discrimination, visual memory, eye tracking, visuomotor coordination, and visual imagery. Four subjects with acquired brain damage were given 10 hours of training. Perceptual skills were assessed with a battery of seven paper-and-pencil tests administered both before and after the training. Following the training two subjects showed some improvement on several of the perceptual tests used, while two other subjects showed improvement on only a limited number of tests. Based on these results and on the performance changes on the video tasks themselves, a comprehensive evaluation of the potential benefits of this type of training on driving performance is recommended.