Divided Attention Steering Simulator Alertness Test (DASS)
![]() |
The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details. |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01460173 |
Recruitment Status :
Completed
First Posted : October 26, 2011
Last Update Posted : September 25, 2012
|
- Study Details
- Tabular View
- No Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
Driving simulator programmes are used under a wide range of conditions, and a correlation of driving performance and real accident risks in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome(OSAS)could be shown. The most frequently used driving simulator is the Divided Attention Steering Simulator (DASS) of Stowood Scientific Instruments Ltd. (SSI). Until today there are no reference levels with regards to sex and age in existence. To define the boundaries of normality age and sex reference values are to be generated and compared to values of patients with OSAS.
50 male and 50 female healthy subjects (10 of each age decade between 20 and 70 years) will perform the DASS for 30 minutes. In the other arm 100 OSAS Patients will perform the test as well. A better differentiation of pathologic driving performance and response times of OSAS patients should be possible with new reference levels.
Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
---|---|---|
Sleep Apnea, Obstructive | Other: Divided Attention Steering Simulator (DASS) | Not Applicable |
The DASS programme records several data, including mean and absloute errors and standard deviations from centre and curve.
Additionally the response time to a randomly appearing target number is recorded (divided attention).
The standard deviation (curve) is the difference between the steering angle and the road angle. Standard deviation (centre) is the standard deviation of the centre of the car from the centre of the road.
Steering performance is quantified as the standard deviation of the error from a theoretical perfect path.
The secondary task of the divided attention test is to respond to a randomly appearing target number at the sides of the monitor while trying to keep the car in the centre of the road.
Average Reaction time is the average time (in seconds) it takes the subject to respond to the target numbers.
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Actual Enrollment : | 200 participants |
Allocation: | Non-Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Parallel Assignment |
Masking: | None (Open Label) |
Official Title: | Aufmerksamkeitstest Mittels Fahrsimulation Bei Normalpersonen Und Patienten Mit Obstruktivem Schlafapnoesyndrom |
Study Start Date : | February 2011 |
Actual Primary Completion Date : | July 2012 |
Actual Study Completion Date : | July 2012 |
Arm | Intervention/treatment |
---|---|
Normal subjects |
Other: Divided Attention Steering Simulator (DASS)
Half-hour divided attention test with steering wheel after 5 to 10 minutes of practice. Completion of three questionnaires (ESS, Young, Berlin Questionnaire). |
OSA Patients |
Other: Divided Attention Steering Simulator (DASS)
Half-hour divided attention test with steering wheel after 5 to 10 minutes of practice. Completion of three questionnaires (ESS, Young, Berlin Questionnaire). |
- Standard deviations [ Time Frame: 30 minutes ]Steering performance is quantified as the standard deviation of the error from a theoretical perfect path.
- Reaction time [ Time Frame: 30 min ]Reaction time to randomly appearing target numbers to which the subject has to respond.

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.
Ages Eligible for Study: | 20 Years to 70 Years (Adult, Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | Yes |
Inclusion Criteria:
-
Healthy subjects
- capability of giving consent
- ESS (Epworth Sleepiness scale) score less than 9
- Holding a driving license
-
Patients
- diagnostic OSAS
- capability of giving consent
- Holding a driving licence
Exclusion Criteria:
-
Healthy subjects
- suspected OSAS, any observed sleep disorders or snoring
- acute cardial, pulmonal oder neurological disease
- Patients - acute cardial, pulmonal oder neurological disease

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT01460173
Germany | |
Helios Klinik Hagen Ambrock | |
Hagen, NRW, Germany, 58091 |
Principal Investigator: | Georg Nilius, MD | Helios Klinik Hagen Ambrock |
Responsible Party: | Georg Nilius, Head of pneumological department of Helios Klinik Hagen Ambrock, Helios Klinik Ambrock |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT01460173 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
DASS2011 |
First Posted: | October 26, 2011 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | September 25, 2012 |
Last Verified: | September 2012 |
alertness test sleepiness vigilance Sleep Apnea, Obstructive |
Sleep Apnea Syndromes Sleep Apnea, Obstructive Apnea Respiration Disorders Respiratory Tract Diseases |
Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic Dyssomnias Sleep Wake Disorders Nervous System Diseases |