Laura A Taylor1, Jeffrey S Kreutzer, Deborah D West. 1. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, MCV Hospitals and Physicians, Richmond, Virginia 23298-0542, USA.
Abstract
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the utility of prescribed malingering cut-off scores by examining the Rey Fifteen-Item Test (FIT) responses of persons with severe brain injury. RESEARCH DESIGN: Series of five case studies. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: The FIT was administered along with standardized neuropsychological and neurobehavioural measures. MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: Using the standardized scoring protocol, all five patients obtained perfect (15/15 correct) scores on the FIT. All patients exhibited significant impairment on other neuropsychological indices, included measures of memory and attention. CONCLUSIONS: Results lend support to the use of higher cut-off scores to identify malingering. Further large-scale research is recommended to ascertain the reliability of FIT scoring procedures, determine cut-off scores for various diagnostic groups and develope age and education adjustments. Implications for use of the FIT in clinical and forensic settings are also discussed.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the utility of prescribed malingering cut-off scores by examining the Rey Fifteen-Item Test (FIT) responses of persons with severe brain injury. RESEARCH DESIGN: Series of five case studies. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: The FIT was administered along with standardized neuropsychological and neurobehavioural measures. MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: Using the standardized scoring protocol, all five patients obtained perfect (15/15 correct) scores on the FIT. All patients exhibited significant impairment on other neuropsychological indices, included measures of memory and attention. CONCLUSIONS: Results lend support to the use of higher cut-off scores to identify malingering. Further large-scale research is recommended to ascertain the reliability of FIT scoring procedures, determine cut-off scores for various diagnostic groups and develope age and education adjustments. Implications for use of the FIT in clinical and forensic settings are also discussed.