AASCIT - Journal - All Issues

ISSN Print: 2472-9450 ISSN Online: 2472-9469

International Journal of Psychology and Cognitive Science

The Journal

Manuscript Information

A Systematic Review Examining Conflicting Attitudes Around Safety and Legislation Towards People Driving with Epilepsy

International Journal of Psychology and Cognitive Science
Vol.5 , No. 2, Publication Date: May 27, 2019, Page: 88-94

823 Views Since May 27, 2019, 201 Downloads Since May 27, 2019

Paper in PDF (213K)

Follow on

Authors

[1]	Nicola Whippy, Psychology Department, London Metropolitan University, London, UK.
[2]	Joanne Lusher, School of Health and Life Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, London, UK.

Abstract

Road crashes that have been caused by epilepsy seizures have led to changes in perceptions about people driving with epilepsy. Objective: By carrying out a review of the studies that have been conducted in this area, these conflicting attitudes towards people driving with epilepsy can be summarised. Study Design: A comprehensive and systematic review of the available literature was conducted. Methods: Using PubMed, PsychINFO, Science Direct, PROSPERO, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and included hand searches of reference lists within relevant papers and narrative reviews. Results: Nine studies met the inclusion criteria and examined the attitudes of professionals, individuals with epilepsy and the general public on driving behaviour among individuals with epilepsy. Results identified a difference in opinion about driving with epilepsy; individuals felt that driving played a big part in them living independently and were willing to drive against legislation in order to continue travel. The more experienced a physician within the area of epilepsy, the more lenient their views with regard to legislation on driving with epilepsy. Conclusions: This review highlights the importance of finding ways to increase the perceived susceptibility and severity of driving with uncontrolled seizures to maintain road safety and the need for further education on this topic. This in turn would reduce car crashes associated with epilepsy and reduce the associated stigma.

Keywords

Systematic Review, Attitudes, Behaviour, Driving, Epilepsy

Reference

[01]	Epilepsy Action. Epilepsy and Driving. https://www.epilepsy.org.uk/campaigns/epilepsy-week/2013/driving. [Accessed 24 August 2016].
[02]	Maxwell RDH, Leyshon GE, Epilepsy and Driving. BMJ 1971; 3: 12.
[03]	Seneviratne SL, Gunatilake SB, Adhikari AA, De Silva HJ. Driving and Epilepsy in Sri Lanka. Seizure 1998; 7; 4: 305-8.
[04]	Brown JWL, Lawn ND, Lee J, Dunne JW, When is it safe to return to driving following first-ever seizure? J Neurolog Neurosurg Psychiatr 2015; 86; 6: 60-4.
[05]	Richards KC, The risk of fatal car crashes in people with epilepsy. Neurology 2004; 63: 6.
[06]	Matsuura M, Epilepsy and Driving. Brain Nerve 2005; 65; 1: 67-75.
[07]	Bautista RED, Wludyka P, Driving prevalence and factors associated with driving among individuals with epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav 2006; 9; 4: 625-31.
[08]	Chen J, Yan B, Lu H, Ren J, Zou X, Xiao F, et al. Driving among individuals with epilepsy in West China. Epilepsy Behav 2014; 33: 1-6.
[09]	Zis P, Siatouni A, Kimiskidis VK, Verentzioti A, Kefalonitis G, Triantafyllou N, et al. Disobedience and driving in individuals with epilepsy in Greece. Epilepsy Behav 2014; 41: 179-82.
[10]	Koh SH, Chung B, Kim HY, Kim JH, Kim SH, Kim ST, et al. Epilepsy and Driving. J Korean Epilepsy Soc 2001; 5; 1: 70-4.
[11]	Myeong-Kyu K, In-Kyu K, Byeong-Chae K, Ki-Hyun C, Sei-Jong K, Jai-Dong M, Positive trends of public attitudes toward epilepsy after public education campaign among rural Korean residents. J Korean Med Sci 2002; 18: 248-54.
[12]	Caveness WF, Gallup GH, A survey of public attitudes toward epilepsy in 1979 with an indication of trends over the past thirty years. Epilepsia 1980; 21: 509-18.
[13]	Beran RG, Ainley LAE, Beran ME, Opinions, attitudes and practices of Australian neurologists with regard to epilepsy and driving. Internal Med J 2007; 37; 4: 251-7.
[14]	Inoue Y, Ito M, Kurihara M, Morimoto K, Epilepsy and driving in Japan. Epilepsia 2004; 45; 12: 1630-5.
[15]	Elliott JO, Long L, Perceived risk, resources, and perceptions concerning driving and epilepsy: A patient perspective. Epilepsy Behav 2008; 13: 381-6.
[16]	Okumura A, Nakazawa M, Abe S, Shimizu T, Attitude toward epilepsy after media coverage of car accidents related to persons with epilepsy in Japan. Epilepsy Behav 2013; 27: 264-6.
[17]	Okumura, A, Abe S, Nakazawa M, Shimizu T, Is attitude toward epilepsy and driving affected by media coverage? Pediatr Internat 014; 56: 759-62.
[18]	Okumura A, Nakazawa M, Abe S, Ikeno M, Igarashi A, Shimizu T, Sustained improvement of attitudes about epilepsy following a reduction in media coverage of car accidents involving persons with epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav 2015; 48: 41-4.
[19]	Okumura A, Abe S, Nakazawa M, Ikeno M, Igarashi A, Takasu M, Shimizu T, Attitudes towards driver’s licenses to people with epilepsy: 2012-2014. Doi: 10.1111/ped.13104.
[20]	Dickey W, Morrow JI, Epilepsy and driving: attitudes and practices among individuals attending a seizure clinic. J Royal Soc Med 1993; 86: 566-8.
[21]	Vogtle LK, Martin R, Foushee HR, Faught RE, A comparison of physicians’ attitudes and beliefs regarding driving for persons with epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav 2007; 10: 55-62.
[22]	Beran RG, Professional privilege, driving and epilepsy, the doctor’s responsibility. Epilepsy Res 1997; 26: 415-21.
[23]	Ioannidis JPA, Patsopoulos NA, Rothstein HR, Reasons or excuses for avoiding meta-analysis in forest plots. BMJ 2008; 336: 1413-5.
[24]	National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools. Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies. Hamilton, ON: McMaster University. http://www.nccmt.ca/resources/search/14. [Accessed 11 November 2016].