title: WAIS digit span-based indicators of malingered neurocognitive dysfunction: classification accuracy in traumatic brain injury.
abstract: The present study determined specificity and sensitivity to malingered neurocognitive dysfunction (MND) in traumatic brain injury (TBI) for several Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) Digit Span scores. TBI patients (n = 344) were categorized into one of five groups: no incentive, incentive only, suspect, probable MND, and definite MND. Performance of 1,063 nonincentive patients (e.g., cerebrovascular accident, memory disorder) was also examined. Digit Span scores included reliable digit span, maximum span forward both trials correct, maximum span forward, combined maximum forward and backward span, Digit Span scaled score, maximum span backward both trials correct, and maximum span backward. In TBI, sensitivity to MND ranged from 15% to greater than 30% at specificities of 92% to 98%. Patient groups with documented brain pathology had higher false-positive error rates. These results replicate previous known-groups malingering studies and provide valuable data supporting the WAIS Digit Span scores in detection and diagnosis of malingering.
authors.affiliation: University of New Orleans & Jefferson Neurobehavioral Group, LA 70148, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Heinly
authors.forename: Kevin W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Greve
authors.forename: Kevin J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Bianchini
authors.forename: Jeffrey M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Love
authors.forename: Adrianne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brennan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008306:Malingering / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014888:Wechsler Scales