Search

To examine the convergent validity of the Test of Effort (TOE), a performance validity test (PVT) currently under development that employs a two-subtest (one verbal, one visual), forced-choice recognition memory format. A descriptive, correlational design was employed to describe performance on the TOE and examine the convergent validity between the TOE and comparison measures. A sample of 53 individuals with chronic acquired brain injury (ABI) were administered the TOE and three well-validated PVTs (Reliable Digit Span [RDS], Test of Memory Malingering [TOMM] and Dot Counting Test [DCT]). The TOE appeared more difficult than it actually was, suggesting adequate face validity. Medium-to-large correlations were observed between the TOE and established PVTs, suggesting good convergent validity. Provisional cutoff scores are offered based on performance of a subgroup of participants with "sufficient effort." Overall, the TOE shows promise as a PVT measure for clinical use. Future studies with larger and more diverse samples are needed to more fully determine the psychometric characteristics of the TOE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) Trail Making Test (TMT) is a commonly used measure of processing speed and executive functioning that may also be useful as an embedded performance validity test (PVT). We evaluated the utility of several multi-condition indices on the D-KEFS TMT in three independent samples to determine an optimal multi-condition index and cutoff on the D-KEFS TMT. Classification accuracy statistics for multiple multi-condition indices on the D-KEFS TMT were evaluated in three independent samples, including a sample with history of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI; n = 267) classified into psychometrically defined performance-valid and performance-invalid subgroups, the D-KEFS national normative sample (n = 1713), and a sample of middle- and older-aged adults diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI; n = 70). The D-KEFS TMT Conditions 1–5 summation index maximized sensitivity at.31 while maintaining adequate specificity at ≥.9. This index also had acceptable classification accuracy in both the D-KEFS national normative and MCI cross-validation samples, with the exception of the oldest subgroup of the national norming sample (i.e., individuals' ages 80–89), in which the observed failure rates for all multi-condition indices tested were greater than 10%. Our study provides support for the use the D-KEFS TMT Conditions 1–5 summation index as an embedded PVT among individuals younger than 80 years-old and from a range of conditions spanning from cognitively normal to mildly impaired; however, further validation is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluating performance validity is important in any neuropsychological assessment, and prior research recommends a threshold for invalid performance of two or more performance validity test (PVT) failures. However, extant findings also indicate that failing a single PVT is associated with significant changes in neuropsychological performance. The current study sought to determine if there is an appreciable difference in neuropsychological testing results between individuals failing different numbers of PVTs. In a sample of veterans with reported histories of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI; N =178), analyses revealed that individuals failing only one PVT performed significantly worse than individuals failing no PVTs on measures of verbal learning and memory, processing speed, and cognitive flexibility. Additionally, individuals failing one versus two PVTs significantly differed only on delayed free recall scores. The current findings suggest that failure of even one PVT should elicit consideration of performance invalidity, particularly in individuals with histories of mTBI. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]