scholarly journals Accuracy of the Test of Memory Malingering in First Generation Spanish-Speaking Latinos

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (7) ◽  
pp. 1243-1243
Author(s):  
K Campos ◽  
L Castillo ◽  
J R Soble
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
First Generation ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
The United States ◽  
Performance Validity ◽  
Test Of Memory Malingering ◽  
Legal Cases ◽  
Spanish Speaking ◽  
Clinical Diagnoses ◽  
Validity Tests

Abstract Objective The Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) is among the most widely used performance validity tests (PVTs) in neuropsychology. Despite abundant support documenting its sensitivity and specificity in the detection of invalid performance, most research has occurred among English-speaking, North-American samples. Studies conducted with Spanish-speaking samples in Latin America found associations between education and TOMM performance, though more mixed results in the United States with Hispanic/Latino samples have emerged due to the challenges that bilingualism, acculturation, and heterogeneity of the population pose to an already challenging area of measurement. Due to the pivotal role that PVTs play in clinical diagnoses and legal cases, it is critical that studies begin to broaden their scope and examine their variables cross-culturally. This study investigated the effects of age, education, and cognitive impairment on TOMM Trial 2 performance in a first-generation, monolingual Spanish speaking, Latino sample. Participants and Method The sample consisted of 26 first-generation Latino adults, 14 women and 12 men, Mean age = 57.11 (SD = 11.99); Mean education = 7.69 years (SD = 4.14), who underwent outpatient neuropsychological evaluation that included administration of the TOMM. 4 with invalid performances were excluded. Of the remaining 26, 9 were cognitively intact and 17 met criteria for a neurocognitive disorder. Results A combined linear regression analysis showed that age, education, and cognitive impairment status did not account for a significant portion of the variance in TOMM Trial 2 scores (R2 = 1.70; p = .283). Similarly, analysis of variance (ANOVA) found no significant differences between impaired (M = 46.68; SD = 5.78) and unimpaired (M = 46.50; SD = 6.09) patients (p = .942). Conclusions Results suggested that age, level of education, or cognitive impairment do not have a significant effect on TOMM Trial 2 performance in a sample of first-generation Latinos.

scholarly journals Depression and the Diagnosis of MCI in a Culturally Diverse Sample in the United States

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Merike Lang ◽  
Mónica Rosselli ◽  
Maria T Greig ◽  
Valeria L Torres ◽  
Idaly Vélez-Uribe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Semantic Memory ◽  
Geriatric Depression Scale ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
The United States ◽  
Confrontation Naming ◽  
Clinical Diagnoses

Abstract Objective To analyze (1) whether there are ethnic differences in the severity of depressive symptoms between groups of elders classified as cognitively normal (CN) or amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and (2) the influence of depressive symptoms on specific cognitive performance by ethnicity across diagnoses, controlling for covariates. Methods 164 Hispanics residing in the United States (HAs) and European Americans (EAs) (100 women; Mage = 72.1, SD = 8.0) were diagnosed as either CN or aMCI. Depressive symptoms were measured with the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15). Cognition was assessed using the Loewenstein-Acevedo Scales for Semantic Interference and Learning (semantic memory), Multilingual Naming Test (confrontation naming), and the Stroop Test (Color–Word condition; executive function). A 2 × 2 univariate ANCOVA as well as linear and logistic regressions explored differences in depressive symptoms among diagnostic and ethnic groups. Results Higher depression was seen in aMCI compared to the CN group for both ethnicities, after controlling for age, education, gender, and Mini-Mental State Examination score. Greater levels of depression also predicted lower scores in confrontation naming and semantic memory for only the EA group and marginally in scores of executive function for HA participants. GDS-15 scores of ≤ 4 also predicted less likelihood of aMCI diagnosis. Conclusions Severity of depressive symptoms was associated with greater cognitive impairment, independent of ethnicity. Significant results suggest detrimental effects of depression on clinical diagnoses most evidently for subjects from the EA group.

Digit Span Forward as a Performance Validity Test in Dementia Evaluations: Specificity in Mild Cognitive Impairment, Mild Dementia, and Moderate Dementia

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 837-837
Author(s):  
H Clark ◽  
P Martin ◽  
R Schroeder
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Performance Validity ◽  
Mild Dementia ◽  
Dementia Patients ◽  
Moderate Dementia ◽  
Neuropsychological Evaluations ◽  
Validity Tests

Abstract Objective Traditional performance validity tests (PVTs) often yield high false positive rates in dementia evaluations. The current study examined the frequency of extremely low scores (≤ 2 percentile) on WAIS-IV Digit Span Forward (DSF) in older adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or dementia to evaluate its possible utility as a PVT in these populations. Method Archival data from outpatient neuropsychological evaluations were analyzed. Individuals who were not diagnosed with a neurocognitive disorder, had missing data, or were believed to be invalidly performing were excluded. Participants (n = 195; mean age = 72.8; mean education = 13.2 years) were classified according to their evaluation diagnosis of MCI (n = 72; mean RBANS Total Score = 86.8) or dementia. Dementia patients were further divided by MoCA score into groups of mild dementia (n = 90; MoCA≥15; mean RBANS Total Score = 71.0) or moderate dementia (n = 33; MoCA < 15; mean RBANS Total Score = 55.9). Frequencies of scaled scores were analyzed to calculate specificity values for each group. Results A WAIS-IV DSF scaled score of ≤4 (≤ 2 percentile) resulted in specificity values of 0.99 and 0.94 in MCI and mild dementia, respectively. Conversely, in moderate dementia, ≥0.90 specificity was achieved only when using a more conservative cutoff of ≤2. Conclusions Low DSF scaled scores occurred infrequently in MCI and mild dementia, indicating strong specificity and potential utility as a PVT in these populations. However, in moderate dementia, low DSF scores were more common, requiring use of a more stringent cutoff. Future research should examine DSF sensitivity to invalid performance, as well as DSF specificity according to specific etiologies of MCI and dementia.

Tests of Feigned or Exaggerated Cognitive Impairment

2018 ◽  
pp. 73-106
Author(s):  
Steve Rubenzer
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Performance Validity ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Feigned Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Diagnostic Statistics ◽  
Effort Tests ◽  
Cutoff Scores ◽  
Validity Tests ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Performance Validity Tests

This chapter reviews the most popular and promising instruments for assessing poor effort or feigned cognitive impairment. Referred to as performance validity tests (PVTs), these instruments vary from very brief to quite long and also vary substantially in sophistication and performance. The advantages and disadvantages of each are reported along with the costs of their use (time and money), diagnostic statistics, and recommended cutoff scores. The various PVTs discussed in the chapter are well validated in neurological samples but less so in psychiatric ones. The chapter concludes by noting that although many PVTs are now described as effort tests, there has been no research to accurately measure how much mental effort different tests require.

scholarly journals A-204 Cross-Validation of the Dot Counting Test in a Nonclinical Sample

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 999-999
Author(s):  
Martinez K ◽  
Sayers C ◽  
Clark C ◽  
Schroeder R
Keyword(s):  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Clinical Group ◽  
Performance Validity ◽  
Test Of Memory Malingering ◽  
Validity Indices ◽  
Nonclinical Sample ◽  
Validity Tests ◽  
Performance Validity Tests ◽  
Specificity Rate

Abstract Objective Studies have indicated that nonclinical participants in neuropsychological research do not always perform validly on testing (e.g., An, Zakzanis, & Joordens, 2012). As such, we cross-validated a brief yet well-researched performance validity test, the Dot Counting Test (DCT), in a validly performing nonclinical sample. Method Participants were 50 college students (mean age = 19.92; mean education = 14.10) who completed a neuropsychological test battery under the instruction to provide their best effort on all tests. Freestanding performance validity tests included the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) and DCT. To ensure that only valid participants were included in the study, it was required that participants pass all examined TOMM validity indices (i.e., Trial 1, Trial 2, Retention, Albany Consistency Index, and Invalid Forgetting Frequency Index; no participant failed any of these indices). Results The first DCT E-score cutoff at which 90% specificity was obtained was &gt; 13. At a cutoff of &gt; 17 (a previously established clinical group cutoff), 98% specificity was obtained. At a cutoff of &gt; 21, 100% specificity was obtained. Conclusions Results cross-validate the DCT for use in a nonclinical sample. Multiple cutoffs are reported, along with corresponding specificity rates. Researchers can now choose the cutoff, which corresponds to their desired specificity rate, to use in nonclinical research studies to help ensure that invalidly performing participants are excluded from future research.

The Coin in Hand–Extended Version: Development and Validation of a Multicultural Performance Validity Test

Assessment ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 186-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia C. Daugherty ◽  
Luis Querido ◽  
Nathalia Quiroz ◽  
Diana Wang ◽  
Natalia Hidalgo-Ruzzante ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Digit Span ◽  
The United States ◽  
Performance Validity ◽  
Extended Version ◽  
Adult Intelligence Scale ◽  
Validity Test ◽  
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale ◽  
Validity Tests ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Highly Correlated

The number of computerized and reliable performance validity tests are scarce. This study aims to address this issue by validating a free and computerized performance validity test: the Coin in Hand–Extended Version (CIH-EV). The CIH-EV test was administered in four countries (Colombia, Spain, Portugal, and the United States) and performance was compared with other commonly used validated tests. Results showed that the CIH-EV has at least 95% specificity and 62% sensitivity, and performance was highly correlated with scores on the Test of Memory Malingering, Victoria Symptom Validity Test, and Digit Span of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. There were no significant differences in scores across countries, suggesting that the CIH-EV performs similarly in a variety of cultures. Our findings suggest that the CIH-EV has the potential to serve as a valid validity test either alone or as a supplement to other commonly used validity tests.

Detecting Feigned Cognitive Impairment With Schretlen’s Malingering Scale Vocabulary and Abstraction Test

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 712-724 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfons van Impelen ◽  
Marko Jelicic ◽  
Henry Otgaar ◽  
Harald Merckelbach
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Semantic Knowledge ◽  
Performance Validity ◽  
Detection Rates ◽  
Feigned Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Validity Tests ◽  
Perceptual Reasoning

Abstract. Schretlen’s Malingering Scale Vocabulary and Abstraction test (MSVA) differs from the majority of performance validity tests in that it focuses on the detection of feigned impairments in semantic knowledge and perceptual reasoning rather than feigned memory problems. We administered the MSVA to children ( n = 41), forensic inpatients with intellectual disability ( n = 25), forensic inpatients with psychiatric symptoms ( n = 57), and three groups of undergraduate students ( n = 30, n = 79, and n = 90, respectively), asking approximately half of each of these samples to feign impairment and the other half to respond genuinely. With cutpoints chosen so as to keep false-positive rates below 10%, detection rates of experimentally feigned cognitive impairment were high in children (90%) and inpatients with intellectual disability (100%), but low in adults without intellectual disability (46%). The rates of significantly below-chance performance were low (4%), except in children (47%) and intellectually disabled inpatients (50%). The reliability of the MSVA was excellent (Cronbach’s α = .93–.97) and the MSVA proved robust against coaching (i.e., informed attempts to evade detection while feigning). We conclude that the MSVA is not ready yet for clinical use, but that it shows sufficient promise to warrant further validation efforts.

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