title: Reliable Digit Span: a systematic review and cross-validation study.
abstract: Reliable Digit Span (RDS) is a heavily researched symptom validity test with a recent literature review yielding more than 20 studies ranging in dates from 1994 to 2011. Unfortunately, limitations within some of the research minimize clinical generalizability. This systematic review and cross-validation study was conducted to address these limitations, thus increasing the measure's clinical utility. Sensitivity and specificity rates were calculated for the ≤6 and ≤7 cutoffs when data were globally combined and divided by clinical groups. The cross-validation of specific diagnostic groups was consistent with the data reported in the literature. Overall, caution should be used when utilizing the ≤7 cutoff in all clinical groups and when utilizing the ≤6 cutoff in the following groups: cerebrovascular accident, severe memory disorders, mental retardation, borderline intellectual functioning, and English as a second language. Additional limitations and cautions are provided.
authors.affiliation: University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, KS 67206, USA. ryan.w.schroeder.psyd@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Ryan W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Schroeder
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Twumasi-Ankrah
authors.forename: Lyle E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Baade
authors.forename: Paul S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Marshall
mesh_terms: D001499:Bayes Theorem; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D006801:Humans; D008306:Malingering / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity