title: Detection of feigned tactile sensory loss using a forced-choice test of tactile discrimination and other measures of tactile sensation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Intentional exaggeration of disability is a risk in work injuries but is hard to reliably detect clinically. This study examined the accuracy of tactile sensory threshold and forced-choice discrimination measures in detecting feigned sensory loss.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants (n = 80) were randomly assigned to one of four sensory loss groups: (1) none; (2) partial; (3) full; or (4) feigned. Sensory data were collected for the upper extremities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Tactile thresholds greater than 0.5 g, discriminability less than 0.50, or forced-choice scores less than 90% were associated with a very low probability of false-positive errors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Below-chance scores are definitive evidence that the sensory loss is intentionally feigned. Scores beyond cut-offs should raise the clinician's suspicion of malingering if there is no physical basis for sensory loss.
authors: Department of Psychology, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana 70148, USA. kgreve@uno.edu
authors: Kevin W
authors: KW
authors: Greve
authors: Jeffrey M
authors: JM
authors: Love
authors: Matthew T
authors: MT
authors: Heinly
authors: Bridget M
authors: BM
authors: Doane
authors: Elizabeth
authors: E
authors: Uribe
authors: Cora L
authors: CL
authors: Joffe
authors: Kevin J
authors: KJ
authors: Bianchini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000377:Agnosia / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008306:Malingering / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014110:Touch