Detection of feigned tactile sensory loss using a forced-choice test of tactile discrimination and other measures of tactile sensation.
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.
Greve
Kevin W
KW
Department of Psychology, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana 70148, USA. kgreve@uno.edu
Love
Jeffrey M
JM
Heinly
Matthew T
MT
Doane
Bridget M
BM
Uribe
Elizabeth
E
Joffe
Cora L
CL
Bianchini
Kevin J
KJ
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