title: The use of symptom validity testing in the diagnosis of functional sensory and memory deficits: a review.
abstract: This paper reviews the use of a modern psychophysical technique known as symptom validity testing. The technique employs a forced choice procedure providing an objective method for distinguishing between functional and organic aetiology in cases with sensory or memory deficit. The determination of functionality is by the objective demonstration that behaviour is controlled by stimuli in the sense modality in which the deficit is claimed. The data can be evaluated using conventional statistical techniques. The method is an advance on classical psychophysical methods as it does not depend upon the patient reporting whether he can or cannot perceive a single stimulus.
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn, Norfolk.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Cliffe
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005162:Factitious Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D011581:Psychological Tests