Model System:

TBI

Reference Type:

Journal

Accession No.:

J78679

Journal:


The Clinical Neuropsychologist

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

, 31, 3, 644-653

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Study evaluated strategies used by healthy adults coached to simulate traumatic brain injury (TBI) during neuropsychological evaluation. Fifty-eight healthy adults were coached to simulate TBI while completing a test battery consisting of multiple performance validity tests (PVTs), neuropsychological tests, a self-report scale of functional independence, and a debriefing survey about strategies used to feign TBI. The 16 "successful" simulators were classified as participants who failed 0 or 1 PVT and also scored as impaired on one or more neuropsychological index. The 42 "unsuccessful" simulators failed 2 or more PVTs or passed PVTs but did not score impaired on any neuropsychological index. Compared to unsuccessful simulators, successful simulators had significantly more years of education, higher estimated IQ, and were more likely to use information provided about TBI to employ a systematic pattern of performance that targeted specific tests rather than performing poorly across the entire test battery. The results contribute to a limited body of research investigating strategies utilized by individuals instructed to feign neurocognitive impairment. Findings signal the importance of developing additional embedded PVTs within standard cognitive tests to assess performance validity throughout a neuropsychological assessment. Future research should consider specifically targeting embedded measures in visual tests sensitive to slowed responding (e.g. response time).

Author(s):


Kanser, Robert J., Rapport, Lisa J., Bashem, Jesse R., Billings, Nia M., Hanks, Robin A., Axelrod, Bradley N., Miller, Justin B.

Participating Centers: