Detecting symptom- and test-coached simulators with the test of memory malingering

Arch Clin Neuropsychol. 2004 Aug;19(5):693-702. doi: 10.1016/j.acn.2004.04.001.

Abstract

The ability of the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM; Tombaugh, 1996) to detect feigned-memory impairment was explored. The TOMM was administered to three groups: (a) a control group instructed to perform optimally, (b) a symptom-coached group instructed to feign memory problems after being educated about traumatic brain injury symptomatology, and (c) a test-coached group instructed to feign memory problems after being educated about test-taking strategies to avoid detection. The recommended cutoff scores (Tombaugh, 1996) on Trial 2 and the Retention Trial produced overall classification accuracy rates of 96%, with high levels of sensitivity and specificity. Although the symptom-coached group performed more poorly on the TOMM relative to the test-coached group, the test was equally sensitive in detecting suboptimal effort across the different coaching paradigms.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain Injuries / diagnosis*
  • Brain Injuries / psychology
  • Female
  • Forensic Psychiatry
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Malingering / diagnosis*
  • Malingering / psychology
  • Memory Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Memory Disorders / psychology
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Observer Variation
  • Psychometrics
  • Sensitivity and Specificity