Development of the Poor Validity Profile Analysis for the Medical Symptom Validity Test.
OBJECTIVE
The Medical Symptom Validity Test (MSVT) offers a profile analysis for performance validity, but individuals performing with suboptimal performance validity are frequently misidentified by current profile rules. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a new profile analysis for the MSVT.


METHODS
This study utilized 2 phases to investigate current profile analyses and construct a new analysis. Phase I compared graduate students and adult volunteers asked to simulate dementia to individuals with dementia in long-term care facilities. Phase I included development of a logistic equation with a logit model correction and introduced 4 new profiles. Phase II investigated the 4 proposed profiles using a new sample of graduate students asked to simulate dementia and outpatient dementia referrals.


RESULTS
The 4 proposed profiles showed high specificity (94%-96%) and acceptable sensitivity (79.5%-95.5%) in Phase I. In Phase II, 1 profile out performed others by demonstrating 95.7% specificity and 86% sensitivity. High sensitivity (84%) and specificity (96%) were obtained for aggregate samples using this profile.


CONCLUSIONS
This research provides an alternative profile analysis for the MSVT that outperforms the available analysis in identifying poor performance validity from genuine impairment.
Department of Neurology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA.
Kathryn J
KJ
Dunham
Neuropsychological Associates of Southwest Missouri, Springfield, MO,USA.
Robert L
RL
Denney
Dementia; Forensic neuropsychology; Malingering/symptom validity