Detecting feigned impairment with the word list recognition of the Wechsler Memory Scale-3rd edition.
OBJECTIVE
To cross-validate the WMS-III Word List Recognition (WLR) sub-test as an embedded symptom validity measure using a simulator validation paradigm.


METHODS
Between subjects and cross-sectional correlational designs were employed with 27 traumatic brain injury (TBI), 30 control and 30 analogue malingerer participants. All participants were administered a battery of tests of cognitive functioning.


RESULTS
The WLR yielded low-to-high levels of sensitivity (40-73%) and high specificity (95-100%), although there was some evidence to suggest that it is sensitive to severe cognitive impairment.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall the findings provide preliminary evidence to support the use of the WLR as an embedded symptom validity indicator. These findings, however, require further cross-validation with larger clinical samples in order to assess its ecological validity.
Hacker
Vicki L
VL
Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust, Birmingham, UK. vicki.hacker@walsall.nhs.uk
Jones
Christopher
C
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008306:Malingering / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D014888:Wechsler Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data