Examining the Test Of Memory Malingering Trial 1 and Word Memory Test Immediate Recognition as screening tools for insufficient effort.
Assessing effort level during neuropsychological evaluations is critical to support the accuracy of cognitive test scores. Many instruments are designed to measure effort, yet they are not routinely administered in neuropsychological assessments. The Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) and the Word Memory Test (WMT) are commonly administered symptom validity tests with sound psychometric properties. This study examines the use of the TOMM Trial 1 and the WMT Immediate Recognition (IR) trial scores as brief screening tools for insufficient effort through an archival analysis of a combined sample of mild head-injury litigants ( N = 105) who were assessed in forensic private practices. Results show that both demonstrate impressive diagnostic accuracy and calculations of positive and negative predictive power are presented for a range of base rates. These results support the utility of Trial 1 of the TOMM and the WMT IR trial as screening methods for the assessment of insufficient effort in neuropsychological assessments.
Bauer
Lyndsey
L
State University of New York-Albany, NY, USA.
O'Bryant
Sid E
SE
Lynch
Julie K
JK
McCaffrey
Robert J
RJ
Fisher
Jerid M
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003071:Cognition; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000150:complications*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008306:Malingering / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D021641:Recognition, Psychology; D013997:Time Factors