The Rey 15-item memory test for malingering: a meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
The Rey 15-Item Memory Test (RMT) is frequently used to detect malingering. Many objections to the test have been raised. Nevertheless, the test is still widely used.


OBJECTIVE
To provide a meta-analysis of the available studies using the RMT and provide an overall assessment of the sensitivity and specificity of the test, based on the cumulative data.


RESULTS
The results show that, excluding patients with mental retardation, the RMT has a low sensitivity but an excellent specificity.


CONCLUSIONS
These results provide the basis for the ongoing use of the test, given that it is acceptable to miss some cases of malingering with such a screening test, but one does not want to have many false positives.
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University of Toronto-Sunnybrook and Women's Health Sciences Centre, 2075 Bayview Ave., Toronto, Ontario MN4 3M5, Canada. ashaki.adonis@sw.ca
D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008306:Malingering / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity