EFFECTS OF MUSIC ON DRIVING PERFORMANCE OF EXPERIENCED DRIVERS WITH AND WITHOUT AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

ECU Author/Contributor (non-ECU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Sydney Romer (Creator)

Institution

East Carolina University (ECU )

Web Site: http://www.ecu.edu/lib/

Abstract: Rationale: Achieving a driver's license is often essential for teens in order to achieve independence and expand their participation in their community through work and/or further education as well as social participation. Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often have difficulty achieving licensure due to difficulties with anxiety, sensory processing issues and impairment in executive functioning. Research also demonstrates that individuals with ASD have more driving performance errors compared to their neurotypical peers. Music is a factor that can affect driving performance by diverting attention, causing aggression, and changing perception of time and speed. However, music may mediate some of the psychological challenges those with ASD face, specifically with novice drivers with ASD. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to further investigate the effects that self-selected background music has on the driving performance of experienced drivers with ASD compared to experienced neurotypical drivers. Design: A 2 (autism/neurotypical) x 2 (music/no music) x 2 (hazards/wayfinding) factorial design was used. Methods: Participants included 34 neurotypical adults and 5 adults with ASD who were experienced drivers. All participants completed a driving history questionnaire and sensory profile before completing four different driving scenarios (two hazard and two wayfinding) on the driving simulator. During two of the drives the participant listened to self-selected music. The order the participant completed the drives/music was counterbalanced to prevent learning effects. The dependent variable of driving performance was measured by the Performance Analysis of Driving Ability (P-Drive), both the total and four subcategories. Results: Repeated measures ANOVA showed no significant difference in driving performance on the total scores between music condition (p = 0.760), however there was a significant difference between drive (p=0.001) and group (p=0.049) indicating that drivers with ASD had higher driving performance scores than their neurotypical counterparts. No significant interaction effects were found. Conclusion: Results of this study indicate that music does not significantly affect driving performance either positively or negatively, contradicting previous studies. However, most studies have been done with novice drivers, thus it may be that experience makes a difference. In addition, the higher performance of the drivers with ASD suggest that experience improves performance so that drivers with ASD may be better drivers than neurotypical drivers as they are more likely to drive following speed limitations.

Additional Information

Publication

Thesis

Language: English

Date: 2023

Subjects

ASD: high functioning autism;experienced driver;driving;driving simulator;self-selected music;occupational therapy

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