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Kim S, Currao A, Brown E, Milberg WP, Fortier CB. Importance of validity testing in psychiatric assessment: evidence from a sample of multimorbid post-9/11 veterans. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 2024; 30:410-419. [PMID: 38014547 DOI: 10.1017/s1355617723000711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Performance validity (PVTs) and symptom validity tests (SVTs) are necessary components of neuropsychological testing to identify suboptimal performances and response bias that may impact diagnosis and treatment. The current study examined the clinical and functional characteristics of veterans who failed PVTs and the relationship between PVT and SVT failures. METHOD Five hundred and sixteen post-9/11 veterans participated in clinical interviews, neuropsychological testing, and several validity measures. RESULTS Veterans who failed 2+ PVTs performed significantly worse than veterans who failed one PVT in verbal memory (Cohen's d = .60-.69), processing speed (Cohen's d = .68), working memory (Cohen's d = .98), and visual memory (Cohen's d = .88-1.10). Individuals with 2+ PVT failures had greater posttraumatic stress (PTS; β = 0.16; p = .0002), and worse self-reported depression (β = 0.17; p = .0001), anxiety (β = 0.15; p = .0007), sleep (β = 0.10; p = .0233), and functional outcomes (β = 0.15; p = .0009) compared to veterans who passed PVTs. 7.8% veterans failed the SVT (Validity-10; ≥19 cutoff); Multiple PVT failures were significantly associated with Validity-10 failure at the ≥19 and ≥23 cutoffs (p's < .0012). The Validity-10 had moderate correspondence in predicting 2+ PVTs failures (AUC = 0.83; 95% CI = 0.76, 0.91). CONCLUSION PVT failures are associated with psychiatric factors, but not traumatic brain injury (TBI). PVT failures predict SVT failure and vice versa. Standard care should include SVTs and PVTs in all clinical assessments, not just neuropsychological assessments, particularly in clinically complex populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahra Kim
- Translational Research Center for TBI and Stress Disorders and Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alyssa Currao
- Translational Research Center for TBI and Stress Disorders and Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Emma Brown
- Translational Research Center for TBI and Stress Disorders and Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | - William P Milberg
- Translational Research Center for TBI and Stress Disorders and Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Catherine B Fortier
- Translational Research Center for TBI and Stress Disorders and Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Horner MD, Denning JH, Cool DL. Self-reported disability-seeking predicts PVT failure in veterans undergoing clinical neuropsychological evaluation. Clin Neuropsychol 2023; 37:387-401. [PMID: 35387574 DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2022.2056923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Objective: This study examined disability-related factors as predictors of PVT performance in Veterans who underwent neuropsychological evaluation for clinical purposes, not for determination of disability benefits. Method: Participants were 1,438 Veterans who were seen for clinical evaluation in a VA Medical Center's Neuropsychology Clinic. All were administered the TOMM, MSVT, or both. Predictors of PVT performance included (1) whether Veterans were receiving VA disability benefits ("service connection") for psychiatric or neurological conditions at the time of evaluation, and (2) whether Veterans reported on clinical interview that they were in the process of applying for disability benefits. Data were analyzed using binary logistic regression, with PVT performance as the dependent variable in separate analyses for the TOMM and MSVT. Results: Veterans who were already receiving VA disability benefits for psychiatric or neurological conditions were significantly more likely to fail both the TOMM and the MSVT, compared to Veterans who were not receiving benefits for such conditions. Independently of receiving such benefits, Veterans who reported that they were applying for disability benefits were significantly more likely to fail the TOMM and MSVT than were Veterans who denied applying for benefits at the time of evaluation. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that simply being in the process of applying for disability benefits increases the likelihood of noncredible performance. The presence of external incentives can predict the validity of neuropsychological performance even in clinical, non-forensic settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael David Horner
- Mental Health Service, Ralph H. Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - John H Denning
- Mental Health Service, Ralph H. Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Danielle L Cool
- Mental Health Service, Ralph H. Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA
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3
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Binder LM, Tadrous-Furnanz SK, Storzbach D, Larrabee GJ, Salinsky MC. The rate of psychiatric disorders in veterans undergoing intensive EEG monitoring is associated with symptom and performance invalidity. Clin Neuropsychol 2022; 36:2120-2134. [PMID: 34632958 DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2021.1974564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
To determine if the number of participants with psychiatric disorders increased in association with failures on symptom validity tests (SVTs) and a performance validity test (PVT) in Veterans admitted for evaluation of possible seizures. The 254 participants were Veterans undergoing inpatient video-EEG monitoring for the diagnosis of possible seizures. DSM-IV psychiatric disorders were diagnosed with the SCID IV. Symptom exaggeration was assessed with the MMPI-2-RF and performance validity with the TOMM. On the MMPI-2-RF, 27.6%-32.7% showed symptom exaggeration. Participants who exaggerated on the MMPI-2-RF were more often diagnosed with psychiatric disorders. The TOMM was failed by 15.4% of the sample. Participants who failed the TOMM were more often diagnosed with an Axis I disorder but not with a personality disorder. The MMPI-2-RF was invalid in more cases than the TOMM, but 7.9% of the sample generated a valid MMPI-2-RF and an invalid TOMM. The correlational design does not allow conclusions about cause and effect. The invalid groups may have had a higher rate of psychopathology. The number of participants with psychiatric disorders increased in association with symptom exaggeration and performance invalidity. Symptom exaggeration was more frequent than performance invalidity, but the TOMM made a unique contribution to identification of invalidity. The routine clinical use of SVTs and PVTs is supported. The results also suggest the need for caution in diagnosing psychiatric disorders when there is symptom exaggeration or performance invalidity, because diagnostic validity is dependent on the accuracy of symptom reporting.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Martin C Salinsky
- VA Healthcare System, Portland, Oregon, USA.,Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
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4
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Link JS, Lu LH, Armistead-Jehle P, Seegmiller RA. Validation of grooved pegboard cutoffs as an additional embedded measure of performance validity. Clin Neuropsychol 2022; 36:2331-2341. [PMID: 34495812 DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2021.1942556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Using embedded performance validity (PVT) comparisons, Erdodi et al. suggested that Grooved Pegboard (GPB) T-score cutoffs for either hand (≤ 29) or both hands (≤ 31) could be used as additional embedded PVTs. The current study evaluated the relationship between these proposed cutoff scores and established PVTs (Medical Symptom Validity Test [MSVT]; Non-Verbal Medical Symptom Validity Test [NV-MSVT], and Reliable Digit Span [RDS]). METHOD Participants (N = 178) were predominately Caucasian (84%) males (79%) with a mean age and education of 41 (SD = 11.7) and 15.8 years (SD = 2.3), respectively. Participants were stratified as "passing" or "failing" the GPBviaErdodi's proposed criteria. "Failures" on the MSVT, NV-MSVT, and RDS were based on conventional recommendations. RESULTS Moderate correlations between GPB classification and a condition of interest (COI; i.e. at least two failures on reference PVTs) were observed for dominant (χ2 (1, n = 178) = 34.72, ϕ = .44, p < .001), non-dominant (χ2 (1, n = 178) = 16.46, ϕ = .30, p = .001), and both hand conditions (χ2 (1, n = 178) = 32.48, ϕ = .43, p < .001). Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive power were generally higher than Erdodi et al.'s initial findings. CONCLUSION These findingsprovide supportfor the clinical utility of the GPB as an additional embedded PVT. More specifically, dominant and both hand cutoffs were found to be more robust measures ofnon-genuine performance in those without motor deficits. While promising, sensitivity continues to be low; therefore, it is ill-advised to use the GPB as a sole measure of -performance validity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared S Link
- Brooke Army Medical Center, JBSA - Ft Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Lisa H Lu
- Brooke Army Medical Center, JBSA - Ft Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX, USA.,Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence (TBICoE), JBSA - Ft Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX, USA.,General Dynamics Information Technology, Falls Church, VA, USA
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5
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Ozturk ED, Chanfreau-Coffinier C, Sakamoto MS, Delano-Wood L, Merritt VC. Characterization of Million Veteran Program (MVP) enrollees with Comprehensive Traumatic Brain Injury Evaluation (CTBIE) data: An analysis of neurobehavioral symptoms. J Psychiatr Res 2021; 145:230-242. [PMID: 34942434 PMCID: PMC9401093 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.12.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine neurobehavioral symptom reporting in a large sample of military veterans (N = 12,144) who completed the Comprehensive Traumatic Brain Injury Evaluation (CTBIE) and enrolled in the VA's Million Veteran Program (MVP). The CTBIE is a clinician-administered interview that assesses for historical, deployment-related traumatic brain injury (TBI) and evaluates symptoms using the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI). Clinicians completing the CTBIE made clinical determinations about participants' (1) TBI diagnostic status (i.e., CTBIE+ or CTBIE-) and (2) current symptom etiology (i.e., Symptom Resolution, TBI, Behavioral Health, Comorbid TBI + Behavioral Health [Comorbid], or Other). We evaluated the association of TBI diagnostic status and symptom etiology group with neurobehavioral symptoms. Results showed a significant association between TBI diagnostic status and all NSI variables, with CTBIE+ veterans endorsing greater symptoms than CTBIE- veterans. There was also a significant association between symptom etiology group and all NSI variables; specifically, the Comorbid and Behavioral Health groups generally endorsed significantly greater symptoms compared to the other groups. Follow-up analyses showed that relative to the Symptom Resolution group, the Comorbid and Behavioral Health groups had increased odds of severe/very severe cognitive and affective symptoms, whereas the TBI and Other groups did not. Finally, presence of psychiatric symptoms, pain, post-traumatic amnesia, loss of consciousness, and blast exposure significantly predicted Comorbid symptom etiology group membership. Findings from this large epidemiologic MVP study have relevant clinical implications and further highlight the importance of prioritizing integrated behavioral health interventions for this vulnerable population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin D Ozturk
- San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego Joint Doctoral Program, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Catherine Chanfreau-Coffinier
- VA Informatics and Computing Infrastructure (VINCI), VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - McKenna S Sakamoto
- Research & Psychology Services, VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS), San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Lisa Delano-Wood
- Research & Psychology Services, VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS), San Diego, CA, United States; Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States; Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, VASDHS, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Victoria C Merritt
- Research & Psychology Services, VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS), San Diego, CA, United States; Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States; Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, VASDHS, San Diego, CA, United States.
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6
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Braun SE, Fountain-Zaragoza S, Halliday CA, Horner MD. Demographic differences in performance validity test failure. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY. ADULT 2021:1-9. [PMID: 34428386 DOI: 10.1080/23279095.2021.1958814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The present study investigated demographic differences in performance validity test (PVT) failure in a Veteran sample. METHOD Data were extracted from clinical neuropsychological evaluations. Only veterans who identified as men, as either European American/White (EA) or African American/Black (AA) were included (n = 1261). We investigated whether performance on two frequently used PVTs, the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM), and the Medical Symptom Validity Test (MSVT), differed by age, education, and race using separate logistic regressions. RESULTS Veterans with younger age, less education, and Veterans Affairs (VA) service-connected disability were significantly more likely to fail both PVTs. Race was not a significant predictor of MSVT failure, but AA patients were significantly more likely than EA patients to fail the TOMM. For all significant demographic predictors in the models, effects were small. In a subsample of patients who were given both PVTs (n = 461), the effects of race on performance remained. CONCLUSIONS Performance on the TOMM and MSVT differed by age and level of education. Performance on the TOMM differed between EA and AA patients, whereas performance on the MSVT did not. These results suggest that demographic factors may play a small but measurable role in performance on specific PVTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Ellen Braun
- Department of Neurology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Massey Cancer Center, Richmond, VA, USA
| | | | - Colleen A Halliday
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Michael David Horner
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Mental Health Service, Ralph H. Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA
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Werner JK, Shahim P, Pucci JU, Lai C, Raiciulescu S, Gill JM, Nakase-Richardson R, Diaz-Arrastia R, Kenney K. Poor sleep correlates with biomarkers of neurodegeneration in mild traumatic brain injury patients: a CENC study. Sleep 2021; 44:6024975. [PMID: 33280032 DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsaa272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES Sleep disorders affect over half of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) patients. Despite evidence linking sleep and neurodegeneration, longitudinal TBI-related dementia studies have not considered sleep. We hypothesized that poor sleepers with mTBI would have elevated markers of neurodegeneration and lower cognitive function compared to mTBI good sleepers and controls. Our objective was to compare biomarkers of neurodegeneration and cognitive function with sleep quality in warfighters with chronic mTBI. METHODS In an observational warfighters cohort (n = 138 mTBI, 44 controls), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was compared with plasma biomarkers of neurodegeneration and cognitive scores collected an average of 8 years after injury. RESULTS In the mTBI cohort, poor sleepers (PSQI ≥ 10, n = 86) had elevated plasma neurofilament light (NfL, x̅ = 11.86 vs 7.91 pg/mL, p = 0.0007, d = 0.63) and lower executive function scores by the categorical fluency (x̅ = 18.0 vs 21.0, p = 0.0005, d = -0.65) and stop-go tests (x̅ = 30.1 vs 31.1, p = 0.024, d = -0.37). These findings were not observed in controls (n = 44). PSQI predicted NfL (beta = 0.22, p = 0.00002) and tau (beta = 0.14, p = 0.007), but not amyloid β42. Poor sleepers showed higher obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) risk by STOP-BANG scores (x̅ = 3.8 vs 2.7, p = 0.0005), raising the possibility that the PSQI might be partly secondary to OSA. CONCLUSIONS Poor sleep is linked to neurodegeneration and select measures of executive function in mTBI patients. This supports implementation of validated sleep measures in longitudinal studies investigating pathobiological mechanisms of TBI related neurodegeneration, which could have therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Kent Werner
- Department of Neurology, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD.,Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Bethesda, MD
| | - Pashtun Shahim
- National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.,Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Bethesda, MD
| | - Josephine U Pucci
- Department of Neurology, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD
| | - Chen Lai
- National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Sorana Raiciulescu
- Department of Neurology, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD
| | | | - Risa Nakase-Richardson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Sleep and Pulmonary Division, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL.,Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, Tampa, FL.,James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, Tampa, FL
| | | | - Kimbra Kenney
- Department of Neurology, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD
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8
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Resch ZJ, Paxton JL, Obolsky MA, Lapitan F, Cation B, Schulze ET, Calderone V, Fink JW, Lee RC, Pliskin NH, Soble JR. Establishing the base rate of performance invalidity in a clinical electrical injury sample: Implications for neuropsychological test performance. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2021; 43:213-223. [PMID: 33858295 DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2021.1914002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Objective: The base rate of neuropsychological performance invalidity in electrical injury, a clinically-distinct and frequently compensation-seeking population, is not well established. This study determined the base rate of performance invalidity in a large electrical injury sample, and examined patient characteristics, injury parameters, and neuropsychological test performance based on validity status.Method: This cross-sectional study included data from 101 patients with electrical injury consecutively referred for post-acute neuropsychological evaluation. Eighty-five percent of the sample was compensation-seeking. Multiple performance validity tests (PVTs) were administered as part of standard clinical evaluation. For patients with four or more PVTs, valid performance was operationalized as less than or equal to one PVT failure and invalid performance as two or more failures.Results: Frequency analysis revealed 66% (n = 67) had valid performance while 29% (n = 29) demonstrated probable invalid performance; the remaining 5% (n = 5) had indeterminate validity. No significant differences in demographics or injury parameters emerged between validity groups (0 vs. 1 vs. ≥2 PVT failures). In contrast, the electrical injury group with invalid performance performed significantly worse across tests of processing speed and executive abilities than those with valid performance (ps< .05, ηp2 = .19-.25).Conclusions: The current study is the first to establish the base rate of neuropsychological performance invalidity in electrical injury survivors using empirical methods and current practice standards. Patient and clinical variables, including compensation-seeking status, did not differ between validity groups; however, neuropsychological test performance did, supporting the need for multi-method, objective performance validity assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary J Resch
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.,Department of Psychology, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jessica L Paxton
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.,Department of Psychology, Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Maximillian A Obolsky
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.,Department of Psychology, Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Franchezka Lapitan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.,Department of Psychology, Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Bailey Cation
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.,Department of Psychology, Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Evan T Schulze
- Department of Neurology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Veroly Calderone
- The Chicago Electrical Trauma Rehabilitation Institute (CETRI), Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Joseph W Fink
- The Chicago Electrical Trauma Rehabilitation Institute (CETRI), Chicago, IL, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Raphael C Lee
- The Chicago Electrical Trauma Rehabilitation Institute (CETRI), Chicago, IL, USA.,Departments of Surgery, Medicine and Organismal Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Neil H Pliskin
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.,The Chicago Electrical Trauma Rehabilitation Institute (CETRI), Chicago, IL, USA.,Department of Neurology, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jason R Soble
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.,Department of Neurology, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
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9
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Williams MW, Graham D, Sciarrino NA, Estey M, McCurry KL, Chiu P, King-Casas B. Does Validity Measure Response Affect CPT Group Outcomes in Veterans with PTSD? Mil Med 2021; 185:e370-e376. [PMID: 31735961 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usz385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 09/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There is a dearth of research on the impact of pre-treatment assessment effort and symptom exaggeration on the treatment outcomes of Veterans engaging in trauma-focused therapy, handicapping therapists providing these treatments. Research suggests a multi-method approach for assessing symptom exaggeration in Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which includes effort and symptom validity tests, is preferable. Symptom exaggeration has also been considered a "cry for help," associated with increased PTSD and depressive symptoms. Recently, research has identified resilience as a moderator of PTSD and depressive symptom severity and an important predictor of treatment response among individuals with PTSD. Thus, it is important to examine the intersection of symptom exaggeration, resilience, and treatment outcome to determine whether assessment effort and symptom exaggeration compromise treatment response. MATERIALS AND METHODS We recruited Veterans, aged 18-50 who served during the Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND) era, from mental health clinics and fliers posted in a large Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Veterans met inclusion criteria if they were diagnosed with PTSD via a clinician-administered assessment. Sixty-one Veterans consented to participate and self-selected into a cognitive processing therapy (CPT) group or treatment-as-usual. We offered self-selection because low recruitment rates delayed treatment start dates and were consistent with a Veteran-centered care philosophy. Veterans were assessed before and after treatment to determine the impact of assessment effort and symptom exaggeration scores on measures of PTSD and depressive symptoms and resilience. This study examined whether assessment effort failure and symptom exaggeration were associated with compromised psychotherapy outcomes in Veterans with PTSD undergoing CPT group. We hypothesized that a pattern of responding consistent with both effort and symptom exaggeration would result in higher (ie, more severe) pre- and post-treatment scores on PTSD and depressive symptom outcome measures and lower resiliency when compared to Veterans providing good effort and genuine responding. Hypotheses were evaluated using bivariate correlation analyses, analysis of variance, and chi-square analyses. RESULTS Pre-treatment scores on measures of PTSD and depressive symptoms were higher among Veterans whose pattern of responding was consistent with poor assessment effort and symptom exaggeration; these Veterans also scored lower on a measure of resiliency. At post-treatment, there were no differences between Veterans displaying good and failed effort testing on measures of PTSD and depressive symptoms or in whether they completed treatment. Post-treatment resiliency scores remained significantly lower in those with failed effort testing. CONCLUSION These results suggest that Veterans with PTSD whose validity testing scores are indicative of poor effort and symptom exaggeration may be less resilient but may still complete a CPT group treatment and benefit from treatment at a rate comparable to Veterans who evidence good assessment effort and genuine symptom reporting pre-treatment. These findings also challenge the assumption that pre-treatment assessment effort failure and symptom exaggeration accurately predict poor effort in trauma-focused psychotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Wright Williams
- Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mental Health Care Line, 2002 Holcombe Blvd. Houston, TX 77030.,Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030.,VISN 16 South Central MIRECC Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 2002 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030
| | - David Graham
- Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mental Health Care Line, 2002 Holcombe Blvd. Houston, TX 77030.,Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030.,VISN 16 South Central MIRECC Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 2002 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030
| | - Nicole A Sciarrino
- Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, PTSD Clinical Team, 109 Bee St., Charleston, SC 29401
| | - Matt Estey
- Program Director Menninger 360, Menninger Clinic, 12301 S Main St., Houston, TX 77035
| | - Katherine L McCurry
- Salem VA Medical Center, 1970 Roanoke Blvd, Salem, VA 24153 University of Virginia School of Medicine, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA 24016.,Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Virginia Tech, 2 Riverside Circle, Roanoke, VA 24016
| | - Pearl Chiu
- Salem VA Medical Center, 1970 Roanoke Blvd, Salem, VA 24153 University of Virginia School of Medicine, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA 24016.,Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Virginia Tech, 2 Riverside Circle, Roanoke, VA 24016.,Department of Psychology, Virginia Tech, 109 Williams Hall, Blacksburg VA, 24061.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, 2017 South Jefferson, Roanoke, VA 24014
| | - Brooks King-Casas
- Salem VA Medical Center, 1970 Roanoke Blvd, Salem, VA 24153 University of Virginia School of Medicine, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA 24016.,Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Virginia Tech, 2 Riverside Circle, Roanoke, VA 24016.,Department of Psychology, Virginia Tech, 109 Williams Hall, Blacksburg VA, 24061.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, 2017 South Jefferson, Roanoke, VA 24014
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10
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Esopenko C, Meyer J, Wilde EA, Marshall AD, Tate DF, Lin AP, Koerte IK, Werner KB, Dennis EL, Ware AL, de Souza NL, Menefee DS, Dams-O'Connor K, Stein DJ, Bigler ED, Shenton ME, Chiou KS, Postmus JL, Monahan K, Eagan-Johnson B, van Donkelaar P, Merkley TL, Velez C, Hodges CB, Lindsey HM, Johnson P, Irimia A, Spruiell M, Bennett ER, Bridwell A, Zieman G, Hillary FG. A global collaboration to study intimate partner violence-related head trauma: The ENIGMA consortium IPV working group. Brain Imaging Behav 2021; 15:475-503. [PMID: 33405096 PMCID: PMC8785101 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-020-00417-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Intimate partner violence includes psychological aggression, physical violence, sexual violence, and stalking from a current or former intimate partner. Past research suggests that exposure to intimate partner violence can impact cognitive and psychological functioning, as well as neurological outcomes. These seem to be compounded in those who suffer a brain injury as a result of trauma to the head, neck or body due to physical and/or sexual violence. However, our understanding of the neurobehavioral and neurobiological effects of head trauma in this population is limited due to factors including difficulty in accessing/recruiting participants, heterogeneity of samples, and premorbid and comorbid factors that impact outcomes. Thus, the goal of the Enhancing NeuroImaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis (ENIGMA) Consortium Intimate Partner Violence Working Group is to develop a global collaboration that includes researchers, clinicians, and other key community stakeholders. Participation in the working group can include collecting harmonized data, providing data for meta- and mega-analysis across sites, or stakeholder insight on key clinical research questions, promoting safety, participant recruitment and referral to support services. Further, to facilitate the mega-analysis of data across sites within the working group, we provide suggestions for behavioral surveys, cognitive tests, neuroimaging parameters, and genetics that could be used by investigators in the early stages of study design. We anticipate that the harmonization of measures across sites within the working group prior to data collection could increase the statistical power in characterizing how intimate partner violence-related head trauma impacts long-term physical, cognitive, and psychological health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carrie Esopenko
- Department of Rehabilitation & Movement Sciences, School of Health Professions, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ, 07107, USA.
- Department of Health Informatics, School of Health Professions, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ, 07107, USA.
| | - Jessica Meyer
- Department of Psychiatry, Summa Health System, Akron, OH, 44304, USA
| | - Elisabeth A Wilde
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussion Center, Department of Neurology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, 84132, USA
- George E. Wahlen Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salt Lake City, UT, 84148, USA
| | - Amy D Marshall
- Department of Psychology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - David F Tate
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussion Center, Department of Neurology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, 84132, USA
- George E. Wahlen Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salt Lake City, UT, 84148, USA
| | - Alexander P Lin
- Department of Clinical Spectroscopy, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Inga K Koerte
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, 80336, Munich, Germany
- Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Kimberly B Werner
- College of Nursing, University of Missouri, St. Louis, MO, 63121, USA
| | - Emily L Dennis
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussion Center, Department of Neurology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, 84132, USA
- George E. Wahlen Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salt Lake City, UT, 84148, USA
| | - Ashley L Ware
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussion Center, Department of Neurology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, 84132, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Nicola L de Souza
- School of Graduate Studies, Biomedical Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | | | - Kristen Dams-O'Connor
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Dan J Stein
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience Institute, South African Medical Research Council Unit on Risk & Resilience in Mental Disorders, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, 7501, South Africa
| | - Erin D Bigler
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussion Center, Department of Neurology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, 84132, USA
- Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, USA
| | - Martha E Shenton
- College of Nursing, University of Missouri, St. Louis, MO, 63121, USA
- Departments of Psychiatry and Radiology, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Veterans Affairs, Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
| | - Kathy S Chiou
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 68588, USA
| | - Judy L Postmus
- School of Social Work, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA
| | - Kathleen Monahan
- School of Social Welfare, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-8231, USA
| | | | - Paul van Donkelaar
- School of Health and Exercise Sciences, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - Tricia L Merkley
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussion Center, Department of Neurology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, 84132, USA
- Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Carmen Velez
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussion Center, Department of Neurology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, 84132, USA
| | - Cooper B Hodges
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussion Center, Department of Neurology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, 84132, USA
- George E. Wahlen Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salt Lake City, UT, 84148, USA
- Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, USA
| | - Hannah M Lindsey
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussion Center, Department of Neurology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, 84132, USA
- George E. Wahlen Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salt Lake City, UT, 84148, USA
- Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, USA
| | - Paula Johnson
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussion Center, Department of Neurology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, 84132, USA
- George E. Wahlen Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salt Lake City, UT, 84148, USA
- Neuroscience Center, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, USA
| | - Andrei Irimia
- Ethel Percy Andrus Gerontology Center, Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
- Denney Research Center Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Matthew Spruiell
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Esther R Bennett
- Rutgers University School of Social Work, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Ashley Bridwell
- Barrow Concussion and Brain Injury Center, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Glynnis Zieman
- Barrow Concussion and Brain Injury Center, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Frank G Hillary
- Department of Psychology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
- Social Life and Engineering Sciences Imaging Center, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
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11
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Sabelli AG, Messa I, Giromini L, Lichtenstein JD, May N, Erdodi LA. Symptom Versus Performance Validity in Patients with Mild TBI: Independent Sources of Non-credible Responding. PSYCHOLOGICAL INJURY & LAW 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s12207-021-09400-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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12
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Resch ZJ, Rhoads T, Ovsiew GP, Soble JR. A Known-Groups Validation of the Medical Symptom Validity Test and Analysis of the Genuine Memory Impairment Profile. Assessment 2020; 29:455-466. [DOI: 10.1177/1073191120983919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This study cross-validated the Medical Symptom Validity Test (MSVT) in a mixed neuropsychiatric sample and examined its accuracy for identifying invalid neuropsychological performance using a known-groups design. Cross-sectional data from 129 clinical patients who completed the MSVT were examined. Validity groups were established using six, independent criterion performance validity tests, which yielded 98 patients in the valid group and 31 in the invalid group. All MSVT subtest scores were significantly lower in the invalid group (η p2=.22-.39). Using published cut-scores, sensitivities of 42% to 71% were found among the primary effort subtests, and 74% sensitivity/90% specificity was observed for the overall MSVT. Among this sample, the MSVT component validity scales produced areas under the curve of .78-.86, suggesting moderate classification accuracy. At optimal cut-scores, the MSVT primary effort validity scales demonstrated 55% to 71% sensitivity/91% to 93% specificity, with the Consistency subtest exhibiting the strongest psychometric properties. The MSVT exhibited relatively robust sensitivity and specificity, supporting its utility as a briefer freestanding performance validity test to its predecessor, the Word Memory Test. Finally, the Genuine Memory Impairment Profile appears promising for patients with Major Neurocognitive Disorder, but is cautioned against for those without significant functional decline in activities of daily living at this time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary J. Resch
- University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Tasha Rhoads
- University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Jason R. Soble
- University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
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13
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A Meta-Analysis of Neuropsychological Effort Test Performance in Psychotic Disorders. Neuropsychol Rev 2020; 30:407-424. [PMID: 32766940 DOI: 10.1007/s11065-020-09448-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Psychotic disorders are characterized by a generalized neurocognitive deficit (i.e., performance 1.5 SD below controls across neuropsychological domains with no specific profile of differential deficits). A motivational account of the generalized neurocognitive deficit has been proposed, which attributes poor neuropsychological testing performance to low effort. However, findings are inconsistent regarding effort test failure rate in individuals with psychotic disorders across studies (0-72%), and moderators are unclear, making it difficult to know whether the motivational explanation is viable. To address these issues, a meta-analysis was performed on data from 2205 individuals with psychotic disorders across 19 studies with 24 independent effects. Effort failure rate was examined along with moderators of effort test type, forensic status, IQ, positive symptoms, negative symptoms, diagnosis, age, gender, education, and antipsychotic use. The pooled weighted effort test failure rate was 18% across studies and there was a moderate pooled association between effort failure rate and global neurocognitive performance (r = .57). IQ and education significantly moderated failure rate. Collectively, these findings suggest that a nontrivial proportion of individuals with a psychotic disorder fail effort testing, and failure rate is associated with global neuropsychological impairment. However, given that effort tests are not immune to the effects of IQ in psychotic disorders, these results cannot attest to the viability of the motivational account of the generalized neurocognitive deficit. Furthermore, the significant moderating effect of IQ and education on effort test performance suggests that effort tests have questionable validity in this population and should be interpreted with caution.
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14
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Aase DM, Soble JR, Shepard P, Akagi K, Schroth C, Greenstein JE, Proescher E, Phan KL. Concordance of Embedded Performance and Symptom Validity Tests and Associations with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder among Post-9/11 Veterans. Arch Clin Neuropsychol 2020; 36:424-429. [DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acaa053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Objective
The present study explored both embedded symptom (SVT) and performance (PVT) validity test scores within a post-9/11 veteran sample to elucidate the degree to which there is concordance between validity indicators, as well as how frequently one SVT and four PVT indicators were failed in screened mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and diagnosed posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Method
A total of 114 post-9/11 veterans were evaluated utilizing the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI) Validity-10, four embedded PVTs, mTBI screening, and a diagnostic interview for PTSD.
Results
While we found concordance between embedded PVTs and the NSI Validity-10 at select cutoffs (i.e., ≥13, ≥19), symptom and performance validity indicators were clinically dissociable in that only SVT significantly predicted diagnosed PTSD and screened mTBI.
Conclusions
Dissociation between symptom and performance validity may be clinically useful when interpreting neuropsychological evaluation findings in post-9/11 veterans with a history of mTBI or PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darrin M Aase
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Mental Health Service Line, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jason R Soble
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Paula Shepard
- Mental Health Service Line, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Kouri Akagi
- Mental Health Service Line, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Christopher Schroth
- Mental Health Service Line, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- Cooperative Studies Program Coordinating Center, Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL, USA
| | | | - Eric Proescher
- Mental Health Service Line, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - K Luan Phan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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15
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Identifying Novel Embedded Performance Validity Test Formulas Within the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status: a Simulation Study. PSYCHOLOGICAL INJURY & LAW 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s12207-020-09382-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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16
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Ingram PB, Golden BL, Armistead-Jehle PJ. Evaluating the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) over-reporting scales in a military neuropsychology clinic. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2020; 42:263-273. [PMID: 31900041 DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2019.1708271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: This study examines the utility of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) validity scales to detect invalid responding within a sample of active duty United States Army soldiers referred for neuropsychological evaluations.Method: This study examines the relationship between performance validity testing and performance on the MMPI-2-RF over-reporting scales. Specifically, mean differences between those who passed (n = 152; 75.6%) or failed (n = 49; 24.4%) performance validity testing were compared. Receiver operator characteristic analyzes were also conducted to expand available information on the MMPI-2-RF over-reporting sensitivity and specificity in an Army sample.Results: This study has two distinct findings. First, effect size differences between those passing and failing performance validity testing are classified as small to medium in magnitude (ranging from d = . 30/g = .32 on F-r to d = .66/g = .73 on RBS). Second, over-reporting scales have higher specificity and poorer sensitivity. Likewise, performance of the over-reporting scales suggests that those who exceeding recommended cut scores are likely to have failed extra-test performance validity measures.Conclusion: These findings suggest that many who fail external performance measures may be undetected on the MMPI-2-RF over-reporting scales and that those exceeding recommended cut scores are likely to have failed extra-test performance validity testing. Implications for research on, and practice with, the MMPI-2-RF in military populations are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul B Ingram
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA.,Dwight D. Eisenhower VAMC, Eastern Kansas Veteran Healthcare System, Leavenworth, KS, USA
| | - Brittney L Golden
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
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17
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Psychological Symptoms and Rates of Performance Validity Improve Following Trauma-Focused Treatment in Veterans with PTSD and History of Mild-to-Moderate TBI. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 2020; 26:108-118. [PMID: 31658923 DOI: 10.1017/s1355617719000997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) history have high rates of performance validity test (PVT) failure. The study aimed to determine whether those with scores in the invalid versus valid range on PVTs show similar benefit from psychotherapy and if psychotherapy improves PVT performance. METHOD Veterans (N = 100) with PTSD, mild-to-moderate TBI history, and cognitive complaints underwent neuropsychological testing at baseline, post-treatment, and 3-month post-treatment. Veterans were randomly assigned to cognitive processing therapy (CPT) or a novel hybrid intervention integrating CPT with TBI psychoeducation and cognitive rehabilitation strategies from Cognitive Symptom Management and Rehabilitation Therapy (CogSMART). Performance below standard cutoffs on any PVT trial across three different PVT measures was considered invalid (PVT-Fail), whereas performance above cutoffs on all measures was considered valid (PVT-Pass). RESULTS Although both PVT groups exhibited clinically significant improvement in PTSD symptoms, the PVT-Pass group demonstrated greater symptom reduction than the PVT-Fail group. Measures of post-concussive and depressive symptoms improved to a similar degree across groups. Treatment condition did not moderate these results. Rate of valid test performance increased from baseline to follow-up across conditions, with a stronger effect in the SMART-CPT compared to CPT condition. CONCLUSION Both PVT groups experienced improved psychological symptoms following treatment. Veterans who failed PVTs at baseline demonstrated better test engagement following treatment, resulting in higher rates of valid PVTs at follow-up. Veterans with invalid PVTs should be enrolled in trauma-focused treatment and may benefit from neuropsychological assessment after, rather than before, treatment.
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18
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Lace JW, Grant AF, Ruppert P, Kaufman DAS, Teague CL, Lowell K, Gfeller JD. Detecting noncredible performance with the neuropsychological assessment battery, screening module: A simulation study. Clin Neuropsychol 2019; 35:572-596. [DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2019.1694703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- John W. Lace
- Department of Psychology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Alex F. Grant
- Department of Psychology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Phillip Ruppert
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | - Carson L. Teague
- Department of Psychology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Kimberly Lowell
- Department of Psychology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA
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19
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Merten T, Kaminski A, Pfeiffer W. Prevalence of overreporting on symptom validity tests in a large sample of psychosomatic rehabilitation inpatients. Clin Neuropsychol 2019; 34:1004-1024. [PMID: 31775575 DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2019.1694073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Objective: Noncredible symptom claims, regularly expected in forensic contexts, may also occur in clinical and rehabilitation referral contexts. Hidden motives and secondary gain expectations may play a significant role in clinical patients. We studied the prevalence of noncredible symptom report in patients treated for minor mental disorders in an inpatient setting.Method: Five hundred and thirty seven clinical inpatients of a psychosomatic rehabilitation center were studied (mean age: 50.2 years; native speakers of German). They were referred for treatment of depression, anxiety, somatoform disorder, adjustment disorder, and neurasthenia. Results of two symptom validity tests (Structured Inventory of Malingered Symptomatology, SIMS; Self-Report Symptom Inventory, SRSI) and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) were analyzed.Results: At screening level, 34.5% and 29.8% of the patients were found to presumably overreport symptoms on the SIMS and SRSI, respectively. At the standard cut score of the SRSI (maximum false positive rate: 5%), the proportion of diagnosed overreporting was 18.8%. SIMS and SRSI pseudosymptom endorsement correlated at .73. Highly elevated depressive symptom claims with BDI-II scores above 40, found in 9.3% of the patients, were associated with elevated pseudosymptom endorsement. Moreover, extended times of sick leave and higher expectations of disability pension were associated with elevated pseudosymptom endorsement.Conclusions: The prevalence of symptom overreporting in some clinical patient groups is a serious, yet underinvestigated problem. The current estimates yielded a high prevalence of distorted, noncredible symptom claims in psychosomatic rehabilitation patients. The challenges arising to health professionals working in such settings are immense and need more consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Merten
- Department of Neurology, Vivantes Klinikum im Friedrichshain, Berlin, Germany
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20
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Moore RA, Lippa SM, Brickell TA, French LM, Lange RT. Clinical utility of WAIS-IV 'excessive decline from premorbid functioning' scores to detect invalid test performance following traumatic brain injury. Clin Neuropsychol 2019; 34:512-528. [PMID: 31608766 DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2019.1668059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Objective: Excessive Decline from Premorbid Functioning (EDPF), an atypical discrepancy between demographically predicted and obtained Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-4th Edition (WAIS-IV) scores, has been recently proposed as a potential embedded performance validity test (PVT). This study examined the clinical utility of EDPF scores to detect invalid test performance following traumatic brain injury (TBI).Methods: Participants were 194 U.S. military service members who completed neuropsychological testing on average 2.4 years (SD = 4.0) following uncomplicated mild, complicated mild, moderate, severe, or penetrating TBI (Age: M = 34.0, SD = 9.9). Using TBI severity and PVT performance (i.e., PVT Pass/Fail), participants were classified into three groups: Uncomplicated Mild TBI-PVT Fail (MTBI-Fail; n = 21), Uncomplicated Mild TBI-PVT Pass (MTBI-Pass; n = 94), and Complicated Mild to Severe/Penetrating TBI-PVT Pass (CM/STBI-Pass; n = 79). Seven EDPF measures were calculated by subtracting WAIS-IV obtained index scores from the demographically predicted scores from the Test of Premorbid Functioning (TOPF). Cutoff scores to detect invalid test performance were examined for each EDPF measure separately.Results: The MTBI-Fail group had higher scores than the MTBI-Pass and CM/STBI-Pass groups on five of the seven EDPF measures (p<.05). Overall, the EDPF measure using the Processing Speed Index (EDPF-PSI) was the most useful score to detect invalid test performance. However, sensitivity was only low to moderate depending on the cutoff score used.Conclusions: These findings provide support for the use of EDPF as an embedded PVT to be considered along with other performance validity data when administering the WAIS-IV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rich A Moore
- Neuropsychology Assessment Services, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sara M Lippa
- Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Silver Spring, MD, USA.,National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Tracey A Brickell
- Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Silver Spring, MD, USA.,National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Louis M French
- Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Silver Spring, MD, USA.,National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Rael T Lange
- Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Silver Spring, MD, USA.,National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA.,University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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21
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Mooney SR, Stafford J, Seats E. Medical Evaluation Board Involvement, Non-Credible Cognitive Testing, and Emotional Response Bias in Concussed Service Members. Mil Med 2019; 183:e546-e554. [PMID: 29590406 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usy038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Military Service Members (SMs) with post-concussive symptoms are commonly referred for further evaluation and possible treatment to Department of Defense Traumatic Brain Injury Clinics where neuropsychological screening/evaluations are being conducted. Understudied to date, the base rates of noncredible task engagement/performance validity testing (PVT) during cognitive screening/evaluations in military settings appears to be high. The current study objectives are to: (1) examine the base rates of noncredible PVTs of SMs undergoing routine clinical or Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) related workups using multiple objective performance-based indicators; (2) determine whether involvement in MEB is associated with PVT or symptom exaggeration/symptom validity testing (SVT) results; (3) elucidate which psychiatric symptoms are associated with noncredible PVT performances; and (4) determine whether MEB participation moderates the relationship between psychological symptom exaggeration and whether or not SM goes on to demonstrate PVTs failures - or vice versa. Materials and Methods Retrospective study of 71 consecutive military concussion cases drawn from a DoD TBI Clinic neuropsychology clinic database. As part of neuropsychological evaluations, patients completed several objective performance-based PVTs and SVT. Results Mean (SD) age of SMs was 36.0 (9.5), ranging from 19-59, and 93% of the sample was male. The self-identified ethnicity resulted in the following percentages: 62% Non-Hispanic White, 22.5% African American, and 15.5% Hispanic or Latino. The majority of the sample (97%) was Active Duty Army and 51% were involved in the MEB at the time of evaluation. About one-third (35.9%) of routine clinical patients demonstrated failure on one or more PVT indicators (12.8% failed 2) while PVT failure rates amongst MEB patients ranged from 15.6% to 37.5% (i.e., failed 2 or 1 PVTs, respectively). Base rates of failures on one or more PVT did not differ between routine clinical versus MEB patients (p = 0.94). MEB involvement was not associated with increased emotional symptom response bias as compared to routine clinical patients. PVT failures were positively correlated with somatization, anxiety, depressive symptoms, suspicious and hostility, atypical perceptions/alienation/subjective cognitive difficulties, borderline personality traits/features, and penchant for aggression in addition to symptom over-endorsement/exaggeration. No differences between routine clinical and MEB patients across other SVT indicators were found. MEB status did not moderate the relationship between any of the SVTs. Conclusion Study results are broadly consistent with the prior published studies that documented low to moderately high base rates of noncredible task engagement during neuropsychological evaluations in military and veteran settings. Results are in contrast to prior studies that have suggested involvement in MEB is associated with increased likelihood of poor PVT performances. This is the first to show that MEB involvement did not enhance/strengthen the association between PVT performances and evidence of SVTs. Consistent with prior studies, these results do highlight that the same SMs who fail PVTs also tend to be the ones who go on to endorse a myriad of psychiatric symptoms and proclivities. Implications of variable or poor task engagement during routine clinical and MEB neuropsychological evaluation in military settings on treatment and disposition planning cannot be overstated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott R Mooney
- Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center - TBI Clinic, Neuroscience & Rehabilitation Center, 300 E. Hospital Road, Fort Gordon, GA
| | - Jane Stafford
- University of South Carolina-Aiken, 471 University Parkway, Aiken, SC
| | - Elizabeth Seats
- University of South Carolina-Aiken, 471 University Parkway, Aiken, SC
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22
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Lippa SM, Lange RT, French LM, Iverson GL. Performance Validity, Neurocognitive Disorder, and Post-concussion Symptom Reporting in Service Members with a History of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. Arch Clin Neuropsychol 2019; 33:606-618. [PMID: 29069278 DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acx098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To examine the influence of different performance validity test (PVT) cutoffs on neuropsychological performance, post-concussion symptoms, and rates of neurocognitive disorder and postconcussional syndrome following mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) in active duty service members. Method Participants were 164 service members (Age: M = 28.1 years [SD = 7.3]) evaluated on average 4.1 months (SD = 5.0) following injury. Participants were divided into three mutually exclusive groups using original and alternative cutoff scores on the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) and the Effort Index (EI) from the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS): (a) PVT-Pass, n = 85; (b) Alternative PVT-Fail, n = 53; and (c) Original PVT-Fail, n = 26. Participants also completed the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory. Results The PVT-Pass group performed better on cognitive testing and reported fewer symptoms than the two PVT-Fail groups. The Original PVT-Fail group performed more poorly on cognitive testing and reported more symptoms than the Alternative PVT-Fail group. Both PVT-Fail groups were more likely to meet DSM-5 Category A criteria for mild and major neurocognitive disorder and symptom reporting criteria for postconcussional syndrome than the PVT-Pass group. When alternative PVT cutoffs were used instead of original PVT cutoffs, the number of participants with valid data meeting cognitive testing criteria for neurocognitive disorder or postconcussional syndrome decreased dramatically. Conclusion PVT performance is significantly and meaningfully related to overall neuropsychological outcome. By using only original cutoffs, clinicians and researchers may miss people with invalid performances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara M Lippa
- Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, Bethesda, MD, USA.,National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Rael T Lange
- Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, Bethesda, MD, USA.,National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Louis M French
- Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, Bethesda, MD, USA.,National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Center for Rehabilitation Sciences Research, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Grant L Iverson
- Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA.,Home Base, A Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Program, Boston, MA, USA
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Kaufman NK, Bush SS, Aguilar MR. What Attorneys and Factfinders Need to Know About Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries. PSYCHOLOGICAL INJURY & LAW 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s12207-019-09355-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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24
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Jurick SM, Crocker LD, Keller AV, Hoffman SN, Bomyea J, Jacobson MW, Jak AJ. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-RF in Treatment-Seeking Veterans with History of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. Arch Clin Neuropsychol 2019; 34:366-380. [PMID: 29850866 DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acy048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Revised: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study examined the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-Second Edition-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) to better understand symptom presentation in a sample of treatment-seeking Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) Veterans with self-reported history of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). METHOD Participants underwent a comprehensive clinical neuropsychological battery including performance and symptom validity measures and self-report measures of depressive, posttraumatic, and post-concussive symptomatology. Those with possible symptom exaggeration (SE+) on the MMPI-2-RF were compared with those without (SE-) with regard to injury, psychiatric, validity, and cognitive variables. RESULTS Between 50% and 87% of participants demonstrated possible symptom exaggeration on one or more MMPI-2-RF validity scales, and a large majority were elevated on content scales related to cognitive, somatic, and emotional complaints. The SE+ group reported higher depressive, posttraumatic, and post-concussive symptomatology, had higher scores on symptom validity measures, and performed more poorly on neuropsychological measures compared with the SE- group. There were no group differences with regard to injury variables or performance validity measures. Participants were more likely to exhibit possible symptom exaggeration on cognitive/somatic compared with traditional psychopathological validity scales. CONCLUSIONS A sizable portion of treatment-seeking OEF/OIF Veterans demonstrated possible symptom exaggeration on MMPI-2-RF validity scales, which was associated with elevated scores on self-report measures and poorer cognitive performance, but not higher rates of performance validity failure, suggesting symptom and performance validity are distinct concepts. These findings have implications for the interpretation of clinical data in the context of possible symptom exaggeration and treatment in Veterans with persistent post-concussive symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Jurick
- Department of Psychiatry, San Diego State University/University of California San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego, CA, USA.,Veterans Medical Research Foundation, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - L D Crocker
- Psychology Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA.,Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - A V Keller
- Psychology Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - S N Hoffman
- Psychology Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - J Bomyea
- Psychology Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - M W Jacobson
- Psychology Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - A J Jak
- Psychology Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA.,Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
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25
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Gaasedelen OJ, Whiteside DM, Altmaier E, Welch C, Basso MR. The construction and the initial validation of the Cognitive Bias Scale for the Personality Assessment Inventory. Clin Neuropsychol 2019; 33:1467-1484. [DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2019.1612947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Owen J. Gaasedelen
- Department of Psychological and Quantitative Foundations, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- New Mexico VA Health Care System, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Douglas M. Whiteside
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Elizabeth Altmaier
- Department of Psychological and Quantitative Foundations, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Catherine Welch
- Department of Psychological and Quantitative Foundations, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
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26
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Green P, Flaro L. Performance validity test failure predicts suppression of neuropsychological test results in developmentally disabled children. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY-CHILD 2019; 10:65-81. [PMID: 31084379 DOI: 10.1080/21622965.2019.1604342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
There is increasing awareness of the need to use Performance Validity Tests (PVTs) when assessing cognitive abilities in children. Since 1996, there has been an ongoing clinical study of the use of three PVTs with a consecutive series of 1,285 developmentally disabled children. In this study, we report on the results of these PVTs in children of many diagnostic categories. Failure rates on all three tests were very low. The mean scores on the effort measures in those passing the PVTs were extremely high. Failure on each PVT was found to be associated with a significant and widespread suppression of scores across a neuropsychological battery. Failure on even one PVT significantly suppresses ability test scores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Green
- Green's Publishing Ltd., Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
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Bomyea J, Jurick SM, Keller AV, Hays CC, Twamley EW, Jak AJ. Neurobehavioral symptom validity and performance validity in veterans: Evidence for distinct outcomes across data types. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY-ADULT 2018; 27:62-72. [PMID: 30183368 DOI: 10.1080/23279095.2018.1480484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Self-reported traumatic brain injury (TBI) is common in combat veterans, and identification of psychiatric and neuropsychological consequences following TBI has become a priority for veteran healthcare. Given the importance of accurately capturing symptoms potentially related to TBI in VA settings, validity metrics are frequently used to evaluate both neuropsychological testing validity and the validity of symptom self-reports. The Validity-10 of the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory is one such metric that was designed to evaluate symptom over-reporting and thus identify individuals who may produce inconclusive testing profiles. However, the Validity-10's ability to predict objective effort during neuropsychological testing has not been sufficiently explored in veterans. Clinical evaluation data were collected from 295 veterans seeking treatment in a VA TBI clinic. We examined whether the Validity-10 can predict invalid performance on a battery of neuropsychological tests. Validity-10 was a poor predictor of performance validity metrics. Results provide a conceptual replication of earlier work demonstrating that performance and symptom validity are divergent. As such, separate evaluation of these domains is warranted during evaluations conducted in veteran TBI populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Bomyea
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA.,University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Sarah M Jurick
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA.,University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Amber V Keller
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Chelsea C Hays
- SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Elizabeth W Twamley
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA.,University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Amy J Jak
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA.,University of California, San Diego, California, USA
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Worse baseline executive functioning is associated with dropout and poorer response to trauma-focused treatment for veterans with PTSD and comorbid traumatic brain injury. Behav Res Ther 2018; 108:68-77. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2018.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Revised: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Zimmer A, Heyanka D, Proctor-Weber Z. Concordance validity of PVTs in a sample of veterans referred for mild TBI. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY. ADULT 2018; 25:385-394. [PMID: 28489416 DOI: 10.1080/23279095.2017.1319835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Concordance validity of commonly used performance validity tests (PVTs) was assessed in a sample of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND) veterans referred to an mTBI screening clinic in a south-eastern Veterans Affairs hospital. Veteran service members (total n = 184) completed the Rey-15, Repeatable Battery of the Assessment for Neuropsychological Status Effort Index (RBANS EI), and Reliable Digit Span (RDS) from the Wechsler Intelligence Scales. Kappa coefficients and percentage of agreement were established to determine the level of concordance between the three measures. PVT failure rate ranged from 7.4% of the sample (Rey-15) to 26.1% (RBANS EI Liberal). The highest concordance was found between the Rey 15 and RBANS EI "highly suspicious" cut-off, with the lowest agreement noted between all PVTs and the RBANS EI "liberal" cut-score. All concordance coefficients fell within the fair to moderate levels. Overall, the observed agreement between the explored measures was generally consistent with or greater than other studies of PVT concordance. Given the rates of concordance, the current results continue to suggest that PVTs are likely to measure a construct separate from the typical cognitive domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Zimmer
- a Neuropsychology Division - Pediatrics , University of South Florida , Tampa , FL , USA
| | - Daniel Heyanka
- b Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences , University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center , Oklahoma City , OK , USA
| | - Zoe Proctor-Weber
- c Mental Health , Bay Pines VA Healthcare System , Bay Pines , FL , USA
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30
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Armistead-Jehle P, Soble JR, Cooper DB, Belanger HG. Unique Aspects of Traumatic Brain Injury in Military and Veteran Populations. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am 2018; 28:323-337. [PMID: 28390516 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmr.2016.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI), in particular mild TBI (mTBI), is a relatively common injury experienced by service members across both deployed and nondeployed environments. Although many of the principles and practices used by civilian health care providers for identifying and treating this injury apply to military settings, there are unique factors that impact mTBI-related care in service members and Veterans. This article reviews several of these factors, including the epidemiology of TBI in the military/Veteran population, the influence of military culture on this condition, and identification and treatment of mTBI in the war zone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Armistead-Jehle
- Concussion Clinic, Munson Army Health Center, 550 Pope Avenue, Fort Leavenworth, KS 66027, USA.
| | - Jason R Soble
- Psychology Service, South Texas Veterans Healthcare System, 7400 Merton Minter, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Douglas B Cooper
- Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, Department of Neurology, San Antonio Military Medical Center, Joint Base San Antonio, MCHE-ZDM-N, 3551 Roger Brooke Drive, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234-4504, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA
| | - Heather G Belanger
- HSR&D, Tampa VA TBI/Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center, Center of Innovation on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (CINDRR), James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, 13000 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard - 116A, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; Department of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences, James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, 13000 Bruce B Downs Boulevard (116B), Tampa, FL 33612, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, 13000 Bruce B Downs Boulevard (116B), Tampa, FL 33612, USA
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study investigated the relationship between close proximity to detonated blast munitions and cognitive functioning in OEF/OIF/OND Veterans. METHODS A total of 333 participants completed a comprehensive evaluation that included assessment of neuropsychological functions, psychiatric diagnoses and history of military and non-military brain injury. Participants were assigned to a Close-Range Blast Exposure (CBE) or Non-Close-Range Blast Exposure (nonCBE) group based on whether they had reported being exposed to at least one blast within 10 meters. RESULTS Groups were compared on principal component scores representing the domains of memory, verbal fluency, and complex attention (empirically derived from a battery of standardized cognitive tests), after adjusting for age, education, PTSD diagnosis, sleep quality, substance abuse disorder, and pain. The CBE group showed poorer performance on the memory component. Rates of clinical impairment were significantly higher in the CBE group on select CVLT-II indices. Exploratory analyses examined the effects of concussion and multiple blasts on test performance and revealed that number of lifetime concussions did not contribute to memory performance. However, accumulating blast exposures at distances greater than 10 meters did contribute to poorer performance. CONCLUSIONS Close proximity to detonated blast munitions may impact memory, and Veterans exposed to close-range blast are more likely to demonstrate clinically meaningful deficits. These findings were observed after statistically adjusting for comorbid factors. Results suggest that proximity to blast should be considered when assessing for memory deficits in returning Veterans. Comorbid psychiatric factors may not entirely account for cognitive difficulties. (JINS, 2018, 24, 466-475).
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Woods DL, Wyma JM, Herron TJ, Yund EW, Reed B. The Dyad-Adaptive Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (DA-PASAT): Normative data and the effects of repeated testing, simulated malingering, and traumatic brain injury. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0178148. [PMID: 29677192 PMCID: PMC5909896 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2016] [Accepted: 11/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) is widely used to evaluate processing speed and executive function in patients with multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, and other neurological disorders. In the PASAT, subjects listen to sequences of digits while continuously reporting the sum of the last two digits presented. Four different stimulus onset asynchronies (SOAs) are usually tested, with difficulty increasing as SOAs are reduced. Ceiling effects are common at long SOAs, while the digit delivery rate often exceeds the subject’s processing capacity at short SOAs, causing some subjects to stop performing altogether. In addition, subjects may adopt an “alternate answer” strategy at short SOAs, which reduces the test’s demands on working-memory and processing speed. Consequently, studies have shown that the number of dyads (consecutive correct answers) is a more sensitive measure of PASAT performance than the overall number of correct sums. Here, we describe a 2.5-minute computerized test, the Dyad-Adaptive PASAT (DA-PASAT), where SOAs are adjusted with a 2:1 staircase, decreasing after each pair of correct responses and increasing after misses. Processing capacity is reflected in the minimum SOA (minSOA) achieved in 54 trials. Experiment 1 gathered normative data in two large populations: 1617 subjects in New Zealand ranging in age from 18 to 65 years, and 214 Californians ranging in age from 18 to 82 years. Minimum SOAs were influenced by age, education, and daily hours of computer-use. Minimum SOA z-scores, calculated after factoring out the influence of these factors, were virtually identical in the two control groups, as were response times (RTs) and dyad ratios (the proportion of hits occurring in dyads). Experiment 2 measured the test-retest reliability of the DA-PASAT in 44 young subjects who underwent three test sessions at weekly intervals. High intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were found for minSOAs (0.87), response times (0.76), and dyad ratios (0.87). Performance improved across test sessions for all measures. Experiment 3 investigated the effects of simulated malingering in 50 subjects: 42% of simulated malingerers produced abnormal (p< 0.05) minSOA z-scores. Simulated malingerers with abnormal scores were distinguished with 87% sensitivity and 69% specificity from control subjects with abnormal scores by excessive differences between training performance and the actual test. Experiment 4 investigated patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI): patients with mild TBI performed within the normal range while patients with severe TBI showed deficits. The DA-PASAT reduces the time and stress of PASAT assessment while gathering sensitive measures of dyad processing that reveal the effects of aging, malingering, and traumatic brain injury on performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- David L. Woods
- Human Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, VANCHCS, Martinez, California, United States of America
- UC Davis Department of Neurology, Sacramento, California, United States of America
- Center for Neurosciences, UC Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
- UC Davis Center for Mind and Brain, Davis, California, United States of America
- NeuroBehavioral Systems, Inc., Berkeley, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - John M. Wyma
- Human Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, VANCHCS, Martinez, California, United States of America
| | - Timothy J. Herron
- Human Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, VANCHCS, Martinez, California, United States of America
| | - E. William Yund
- Human Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, VANCHCS, Martinez, California, United States of America
| | - Bruce Reed
- UC Davis Department of Neurology, Sacramento, California, United States of America
- Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Davis, California, United States of America
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Lippa SM, Lange RT, Bailie JM, Kennedy JE, Brickell TA, French LM. Utility of the Validity-10 scale across the recovery trajectory following traumatic brain injury. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 53:379-90. [PMID: 27273336 DOI: 10.1682/jrrd.2015.01.0009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2015] [Revised: 07/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The Validity-10 scale was recently developed to screen for symptom exaggeration in patients following traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, it has only been validated on patients with TBI largely in the chronic phase of recovery. The influence of time since injury on the Validity-10 scale was investigated in 2,661 male servicemembers with TBI presenting to six U.S. Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Centers. Participants completed the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI). The Validity-10 scale and NSI total score were both weakly statistically significantly (1) positively correlated with time since injury, (2) negatively correlated with bodily injury severity, and (3) higher in participants undergoing medical board evaluations than in participants who returned to duty or were still hospitalized. Participants were statistically more likely to screen positive for possible symptom exaggeration on the Validity-10 scale as time since injury increased. However, the Validity-10 scale was only weakly related to time since injury, TBI severity, bodily injury severity, disposition, age, and return to duty status. That false positives are not increased in the acute phase of recovery and that the Validity-10 scale is not strongly related to clinical factors support the use of the Validity-10 scale in the acute recovery phase and across the TBI recovery trajectory.
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White Matter Associations With Performance Validity Testing in Veterans With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: The Utility of Biomarkers in Complicated Assessment. J Head Trauma Rehabil 2018; 31:346-59. [PMID: 26360002 DOI: 10.1097/htr.0000000000000183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Failure on performance validity tests (PVTs) is common in Veterans with histories of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), leading to questionable validity of clinical presentations. PARTICIPANTS Using diffusion tensor imaging, we investigated white matter (WM) integrity and cognition in 79 Veterans with history of mTBI who passed PVTs (n = 43; traumatic brain injury [TBI]-passed), history of mTBI who failed at least 1 PVT (n = 13; TBI-failed), and military controls (n = 23; MCs) with no history of TBI. RESULTS The TBI-failed group demonstrated significantly lower cognitive scores relative to MCs and the TBI-passed group; however, no such differences were observed between MCs and the TBI-passed group. On a global measure of WM integrity (ie, WM burden), the TBI-failed group showed more overall WM abnormalities than the other groups. However, no differences were observed between the MCs and TBI-passed group on WM burden. Interestingly, regional WM analyses revealed abnormalities in the anterior internal capsule and cingulum of both TBI subgroups relative to MCs. Moreover, compared with the TBI-passed group, the TBI-failed group demonstrated significantly decreased WM integrity in the corpus callosum. CONCLUSIONS Findings revealed that, within our sample, WM abnormalities are evident in those who fail PVTs. This study adds to the burgeoning PVT literature by suggesting that poor PVT performance does not negate the possibility of underlying WM abnormalities in military personnel with history of mTBI.
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Merten T, Giger P. Wie häufig treten Simulation und Aggravation in der Begutachtung auf? Schätzungen von Laien. FORENSISCHE PSYCHIATRIE PSYCHOLOGIE KRIMINOLOGIE 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s11757-018-0465-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Hogan T, Martinez R, Evans C, Saban K, Proescher E, Steiner M, Smith B. Clinical information seeking in traumatic brain injury: a survey of Veterans Health Administration polytrauma care team members. Health Info Libr J 2017; 35:38-49. [DOI: 10.1111/hir.12203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Hogan
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR); Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital; Bedford MA USA
- Division of Health Informatics and Implementation Science; Department of Quantitative Health Sciences; University of Massachusetts Medical School; Worcester MA USA
| | - Rachael Martinez
- Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare (CINCCH); Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital; Hines IL USA
| | - Charlesnika Evans
- Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare (CINCCH); Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital; Hines IL USA
- Center for Healthcare Studies and Department of Preventive Medicine; Institute for Public Health and Medicine; Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine; Chicago IL USA
| | - Karen Saban
- Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare (CINCCH); Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital; Hines IL USA
| | - Eric Proescher
- Transition & Care Management Team; Jesse Brown VA Medical Center; Chicago IL USA
| | - Monica Steiner
- Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital; Hines IL USA
- Stritch School of Medicine; Loyola University Chicago; Maywood IL USA
| | - Bridget Smith
- Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare (CINCCH); Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital; Hines IL USA
- Department of Pediatrics; Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine; Chicago IL USA
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37
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Denning JH, Shura RD. Cost of malingering mild traumatic brain injury-related cognitive deficits during compensation and pension evaluations in the veterans benefits administration. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY-ADULT 2017; 26:1-16. [DOI: 10.1080/23279095.2017.1350684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- John H. Denning
- Department of Veteran Affairs, Mental Health Service, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Robert D. Shura
- Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Salisbury, North Carolina, USA
- Mental Health and Behavioral Science Service Line, W. G. (Bill) Hefner Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC), Salisbury, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
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38
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Robinson JS, Collins RL, Miller BI, Pacheco VH, Wisdom NM. The Severe Impairment Profile: A Conceptual Shift. Arch Clin Neuropsychol 2017; 33:238-246. [PMID: 29471393 DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acx069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Accepted: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jordan S Robinson
- Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- VA Puget Sound Healthcare System, Lakewood, WA, USA
| | - Robert L Collins
- Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Brian I Miller
- Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Vitor H Pacheco
- Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Nicholas M Wisdom
- Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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39
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Rowland JA, Miskey HM, Brearly TW, Martindale SL, Shura RD. Word Memory Test Performance Across Cognitive Domains, Psychiatric Presentations, and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. Arch Clin Neuropsychol 2017; 32:306-315. [PMID: 27998904 DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acw107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The current study addressed two aims: (i) determine how Word Memory Test (WMT) performance relates to test performance across numerous cognitive domains and (ii) evaluate how current psychiatric disorders or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) history affects performance on the WMT after excluding participants with poor symptom validity. Method Participants were 235 Iraq and Afghanistan-era veterans (Mage = 35.5) who completed a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. Participants were divided into two groups based on WMT performance (Pass = 193, Fail = 42). Tests were grouped into cognitive domains and an average z-score was calculated for each domain. Results Significant differences were found between those who passed and those who failed the WMT on the memory, attention, executive function, and motor output domain z-scores. WMT failure was associated with a larger performance decrement in the memory domain than the sensation or visuospatial-construction domains. Participants with a current psychiatric diagnosis or mTBI history were significantly more likely to fail the WMT, even after removing participants with poor symptom validity. Conclusions Results suggest that the WMT is most appropriate for assessing validity in the domains of attention, executive function, motor output and memory, with little relationship to performance in domains of sensation or visuospatial-construction. Comprehensive cognitive batteries would benefit from inclusion of additional performance validity tests in these domains. Additionally, symptom validity did not explain higher rates of WMT failure in individuals with a current psychiatric diagnosis or mTBI history. Further research is needed to better understand how these conditions may affect WMT performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared A Rowland
- Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center and Research & Academic Affairs Service Line, W.G. "Bill" Hefner Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salisbury, NC, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.,Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Holly M Miskey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.,Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center and Mental Health & Behavioral Sciences Service Line, W.G. "Bill" Hefner Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salisbury, NC, USA
| | - Timothy W Brearly
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.,Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center and Mental Health & Behavioral Sciences Service Line, W.G. "Bill" Hefner Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salisbury, NC, USA
| | - Sarah L Martindale
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.,Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center and Mental Health & Behavioral Sciences Service Line, W.G. "Bill" Hefner Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salisbury, NC, USA
| | - Robert D Shura
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.,Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center and Mental Health & Behavioral Sciences Service Line, W.G. "Bill" Hefner Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salisbury, NC, USA
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40
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Russo AC, Fingerhut EC. Consistency of Self-Reported Neurocognitive Symptoms, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms, and Concussive Events From End of First Deployment to Veteran Health Administration Comprehensive Traumatic Brain Injury Evaluation by Operations Enduring Freedom/Iraqi Freedom/New Dawn Veterans. Arch Clin Neuropsychol 2017; 32:184-197. [PMID: 28365745 DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acw093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective This study examined the consistency of self-reported symptoms and concussive events in combat veterans who reported experiencing concussive events. Method One hundred and forty, single deployed, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn combat veterans with Veteran Health Administration (VHA) Comprehensive Traumatic Brain Injury Evaluations (CTBIE) and no post-deployment head injury were examined to assess consistency of self-reported (a) traumatic brain injury (TBI)-related symptoms, (b) post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-related symptoms, and (c) TBI-related concussive events from soon after deployment to time of VHA CTBIE. Results Compared to their self-report of symptoms and traumatic events at the time of their Post-Deployment Health Assessment, at the time of their comprehensive VHA evaluation, subjects reported significantly greater impairment in concentration, decision making, memory, headache, and sleep. In addition, although half the subjects denied any PTSD symptoms post-deployment, approximately three quarters reported experiencing all four PTSD screening symptoms near the time of the VHA CTBIEs. At the latter time, subjects also reported significantly more TBI-related concussive events, as well as more post-concussive sequelae such as loss of consciousness immediately following these concussive events. Finally, although 84% reported a level of impairment so severe as to render all but the simplest activity doable, the vast majority simultaneously reported working and/or attending college. Conclusions These findings raise questions regarding the accuracy of veteran self-report of both near and distant traumatic events, and argue for the inclusion of contemporaneous Department of Defense (DOD) records in veteran assessment and treatment planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur C Russo
- Psychology Department, VA New York Harbor Healthcare System, Brooklyn Campus, Brooklyn, NY, USA
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41
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Ashendorf L, Clark EL, Sugarman MA. Performance validity and processing speed in a VA Polytrauma sample. Clin Neuropsychol 2017; 31:857-866. [DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2017.1285961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lee Ashendorf
- Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, Bedford, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Erika L. Clark
- Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, Bedford, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Home Base, Boston, MA, USA
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42
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Matlasz TM, Brylski JL, Leidenfrost CM, Scalco M, Sinclair SJ, Schoelerman RM, Tsang V, Antonius D. Cognitive status and profile validity on the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) in offenders with serious mental illness. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LAW AND PSYCHIATRY 2017; 50:38-44. [PMID: 27802872 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijlp.2016.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2016] [Revised: 10/06/2016] [Accepted: 10/18/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive impairment among seriously mentally ill offenders has implications for legal matters (e.g., competency to stand trial), as well as clinical treatment and care. Thus, being able to identify potential cognitive concerns early in the adjudication process can be important when deciding on further interventions. In this study, we examined the validity scales of the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI), scores on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV (WAIS-IV), and competency findings in male inmates (n=61) diagnosed with a serious mental illness. Lower scores on the WAIS-IV significantly (p=0.001) predicted invalid, versus valid, PAI profiles, with working memory impairment being the most significant (p=0.004) predictor of an invalid profile. Ancillary analyses on a smaller sample (n=18) indicate that those with invalid PAI profiles were more likely to be deemed legally incompetent (p=0.03). These findings suggest that the PAI validity scales may be informative in detecting cognitive concerns and help clinicians make determinations about competency restoration and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana M Matlasz
- University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Department of Psychiatry, 462 Grider Street, Buffalo, NY 14215, USA; Forensic Mental Health Services, Erie County Department of Mental Health, 120 West Eagle Street, Buffalo, NY 14202, USA.
| | - Jamie L Brylski
- Forensic Mental Health Services, Erie County Department of Mental Health, 120 West Eagle Street, Buffalo, NY 14202, USA; Medaille College, Department of Psychology, 18 Agassiz Circle, Buffalo, NY 14215, USA
| | - Corey M Leidenfrost
- University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Department of Psychiatry, 462 Grider Street, Buffalo, NY 14215, USA; Forensic Mental Health Services, Erie County Department of Mental Health, 120 West Eagle Street, Buffalo, NY 14202, USA
| | - Matt Scalco
- Forensic Mental Health Services, Erie County Department of Mental Health, 120 West Eagle Street, Buffalo, NY 14202, USA; University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Department of Psychology, Park Hall, Room 204, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Samuel J Sinclair
- Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, One Bowdoin Square, 7th Floor, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Ronald M Schoelerman
- Forensic Mental Health Services, Erie County Department of Mental Health, 120 West Eagle Street, Buffalo, NY 14202, USA
| | - Valerie Tsang
- Medaille College, Department of Psychology, 18 Agassiz Circle, Buffalo, NY 14215, USA
| | - Daniel Antonius
- University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Department of Psychiatry, 462 Grider Street, Buffalo, NY 14215, USA; Forensic Mental Health Services, Erie County Department of Mental Health, 120 West Eagle Street, Buffalo, NY 14202, USA; New York University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, 462 First Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10016, USA
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43
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Stricker NH, Lippa SM, Green DL, McGlynn SM, Grande LJ, Milberg WP, McGlinchey RE. Elevated rates of memory impairment in military service-members and veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2016; 39:768-785. [PMID: 27976973 DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2016.1264575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Studies investigating the neurocognitive effects of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) routinely find "deficits" in various cognitive domains. However, the rate of cognitive impairment in individuals with PTSD remains unclear, as studies have focused on null hypothesis testing (NHT) and inferring patterns of impairment rather than empirically determining the rate of cognitive impairment in this sample. METHOD This study examined rates of cognitive impairment using a domain-specific approach in non-treatment-seeking Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn service members and veterans with (n = 92) and without (n = 79) PTSD and without substance abuse/dependence who passed a performance validity measure and were matched on age, education, estimated IQ, and ethnicity. Chi-square analyses were used to compare the rate of cognitive impairment across groups based on normative scores using three cutoffs (-1, -1.5, and -2 SDs). NHT was also used to compare performances across groups. RESULTS Individuals with PTSD showed higher rates of impairment in memory (-1-SD cutoff) than controls, but equivalent rates of impairment in attention, processing speed, and executive functioning; no significant differences were found on NHT. Impairment in any domain was also more prevalent in PTSD (-1-, -1.5-, and -2-SD cutoffs). No differences were found on NHT or rates of impairment in individuals with PTSD with (n = 34) and without (n = 58) depression. CONCLUSIONS Patients with PTSD were more likely to meet criteria for memory impairment and to show impairment in any domain than controls. Patients with PTSD and comorbid depression were no more likely to be impaired in any cognitive domain or to have lower scores on individual cognitive tasks than patients with PTSD alone. Clinicians noting cognitive impairment in individuals with PTSD should exercise caution before ascribing that impairment to another etiology if deficits are limited to memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikki H Stricker
- a VA Boston Healthcare System , Boston , MA , USA.,b Department of Psychiatry , Boston University School of Medicine , Boston , MA , USA.,c Department of Psychiatry and Psychology , Mayo Clinic , Rochester , MN , USA
| | - Sara M Lippa
- d Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center , Bethesda , MD , USA
| | | | - Susan M McGlynn
- a VA Boston Healthcare System , Boston , MA , USA.,b Department of Psychiatry , Boston University School of Medicine , Boston , MA , USA
| | - Laura J Grande
- b Department of Psychiatry , Boston University School of Medicine , Boston , MA , USA
| | - William P Milberg
- e Translational Research Center for TBI and Stress Disorders (TRACTS) and Geriatric; Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) , Boston , MA , USA.,f Department of Psychiatry , Harvard Medical School , Boston , MA , USA
| | - Regina E McGlinchey
- e Translational Research Center for TBI and Stress Disorders (TRACTS) and Geriatric; Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) , Boston , MA , USA.,f Department of Psychiatry , Harvard Medical School , Boston , MA , USA
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44
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Jurick SM, Twamley EW, Crocker LD, Hays CC, Orff HJ, Golshan S, Jak AJ. Postconcussive symptom overreporting in Iraq/Afghanistan Veterans with mild traumatic brain injury. JOURNAL OF REHABILITATION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 2016; 53:571-584. [PMID: 27898153 DOI: 10.1682/jrrd.2015.05.0094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2015] [Revised: 10/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
A comprehensive evaluation, including the assessment of neurobehavioral symptoms, has been instituted at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system to address the large number of Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF) Veterans returning with mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs). The Validity-10 is measure of symptom overreporting embedded within the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory, a component of the comprehensive evaluation that assesses postconcussive symptom severity. The Validity-10 is composed of 10 unlikely/low-frequency items and a validated cutoff score to identify postconcussive symptom overreporting. We examined the items and cutoff used in the initial development and validation study of the Validity-10 through retrospective chart reviews of 331 treatment-seeking Veterans who sustained an mTBI. The Validity-10 exhibited significant relationships with psychiatric variables, VA service connection, and neuropsychological performance validity (all p < 0.01), but nonsignificant relationships with demographic and injury variables (all p > 0.05). Furthermore, the Validity-10 modestly predicted neuropsychological performance validity test failure over and above psychiatric comorbidities and VA service connection. The present study supports the use of the Validity-10 to assess symptom validity in treatment-seeking OIF/OEF Veterans with a history of mTBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M Jurick
- San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego, CA.,Veterans Medical Research Foundation, San Diego, CA
| | - Elizabeth W Twamley
- Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA
| | - Laura D Crocker
- Psychology Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA
| | - Chelsea C Hays
- San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego, CA.,Veterans Medical Research Foundation, San Diego, CA
| | - Henry J Orff
- Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA
| | - Shahrokh Golshan
- Veterans Medical Research Foundation, San Diego, CA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA
| | - Amy J Jak
- Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA.,Psychology Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA
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45
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Spencer RJ, Waldron-Perrine B, Drag LL, Pangilinan PH, Axelrod BN, Bieliauskas LA. Neuropsychological test validity in Veterans presenting with subjective complaints of 'very severe' cognitive symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury. Brain Inj 2016; 31:32-38. [PMID: 27819490 DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2016.1218546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study explored the utility of combining data from measures of performance validity and symptom validity among Veterans undergoing neuropsychological evaluation for mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). BACKGROUND Persistent cognitive impairments following mTBI are often reported by returning combat veterans. However, objectively-measured cognitive deficits are not common among individuals with mTBI, raising the question of whether negative impression management influences self-ratings. METHODS Self-report ratings were obtained for memory, concentration, decision-making, and processing speed/organization using a 5-point scale ranging from 'none' to 'very severe'. Veterans also completed brief neuropsychological testing which included measures of performance validity. RESULTS Study 1 examined data from 122 participants and demonstrated that veterans reporting a 'very severe' cognitive deficit were over three times as likely to demonstrate poor effort on a validity test than those without a very severe rating. Study 2 replicated these findings in an independent sample of 127 veterans and also demonstrated that both severity of self-report ratings and performance on an embedded measure of effort were predictive of poor effort on a stand-alone performance validity test. CONCLUSION Veterans with suspected mTBI who report 'very severe' cognitive impairment have a greater likelihood of putting forth sub-optimal effort on objective testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Spencer
- a Department of Mental Health Services , VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System , Ann Arbor , MI , USA
| | - Brigid Waldron-Perrine
- a Department of Mental Health Services , VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System , Ann Arbor , MI , USA
| | - Lauren L Drag
- b Stanford University Medical Center , Stanford , CA , USA
| | - Percival H Pangilinan
- c Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation , University of Michigan Health System , Ann Arbor , MI , USA
| | - Bradley N Axelrod
- d Psychology Section, Mental Health Service , John D. Dingell Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center , Detroit , MI , USA
| | - Linas A Bieliauskas
- a Department of Mental Health Services , VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System , Ann Arbor , MI , USA.,e Department of Psychiatry , University of Michigan Health System , Ann Arbor , MI , USA
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46
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Sawyer RJ, Testa SM, Dux M. Embedded performance validity tests within the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test – Revised and the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test – Revised. Clin Neuropsychol 2016; 31:207-218. [DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2016.1245787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R. John Sawyer
- Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - S. Marc Testa
- Berman Brain and Spine Institute, Sinai Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Moira Dux
- Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
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47
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Hanson KL, Schiehser DM, Clark AL, Sorg SF, Kim RT, Jacobson MW, Werhane ML, Jak AJ, Twamley EW, Delano-Wood L. Problem alcohol use in veterans with mild traumatic brain injury: Associations with cognitive performance and psychiatric symptoms. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2016; 38:1115-30. [PMID: 27430280 DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2016.1198468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Given that little is known about the associations between alcohol use, cognition, and psychiatric symptoms among veterans with a history of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), we aimed to (a) characterize how they differ from veteran controls on a measure of problem drinking; (b) investigate whether problem drinking is associated with demographic or mTBI characteristics; and (c) examine the associations between alcohol use, mTBI history, psychiatric functioning, and cognition. METHOD We assessed 59 veterans (n = 32 with mTBI history; n = 27 military controls) for problem alcohol use (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test: AUDIT), psychiatric symptoms, and neuropsychological functioning. RESULTS Compared to controls, veterans with mTBI history were more likely to score above the AUDIT cutoff score of 8 (p = .016), suggesting a higher rate of problem drinking. Participants with mTBI history also showed elevated psychiatric symptoms (ps < .001) and lower cognitive scores (ps < .05 to < .001). Veterans with higher AUDIT scores were younger (p = .05) and had less education (p < .01) and more psychiatric symptoms (ps < .01), but mTBI characteristics did not differ. After controlling for combat and mTBI history (R(2) = .04, ns) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms (ΔR(2) = .08, p = .05), we found that higher AUDIT scores were associated with poorer attention/processing speed, F(9, 37) = 2.55, p = .022; ΔR(2) = .26, p = .03. CONCLUSIONS This preliminary study suggested that veterans with mTBI history may be at increased risk for problem drinking. Problem alcohol use was primarily associated with more severe PTSD symptoms and poorer attention/processing speed, though not with combat or mTBI characteristics per se. Importantly, findings emphasize the importance of assessing for and treating problematic alcohol use and comorbid psychiatric symptoms among veterans, including those with a history of neurotrauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen L Hanson
- a VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS) , San Diego , CA , USA.,c Veterans Medical Research Foundation , San Diego , CA , USA.,d Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine , University of California San Diego , San Diego , CA , USA
| | - Dawn M Schiehser
- a VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS) , San Diego , CA , USA.,b Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, VASDHS , San Diego , CA , USA.,d Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine , University of California San Diego , San Diego , CA , USA
| | - Alexandra L Clark
- a VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS) , San Diego , CA , USA.,e San Diego State University Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology , University of California San Diego , San Diego , CA , USA
| | - Scott F Sorg
- a VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS) , San Diego , CA , USA
| | - Russell T Kim
- a VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS) , San Diego , CA , USA.,c Veterans Medical Research Foundation , San Diego , CA , USA
| | - Mark W Jacobson
- a VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS) , San Diego , CA , USA.,c Veterans Medical Research Foundation , San Diego , CA , USA.,d Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine , University of California San Diego , San Diego , CA , USA
| | - Madeleine L Werhane
- a VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS) , San Diego , CA , USA.,e San Diego State University Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology , University of California San Diego , San Diego , CA , USA
| | - Amy J Jak
- a VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS) , San Diego , CA , USA.,b Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, VASDHS , San Diego , CA , USA.,c Veterans Medical Research Foundation , San Diego , CA , USA.,d Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine , University of California San Diego , San Diego , CA , USA
| | - Elizabeth W Twamley
- a VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS) , San Diego , CA , USA.,b Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, VASDHS , San Diego , CA , USA.,d Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine , University of California San Diego , San Diego , CA , USA
| | - Lisa Delano-Wood
- a VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS) , San Diego , CA , USA.,b Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, VASDHS , San Diego , CA , USA.,c Veterans Medical Research Foundation , San Diego , CA , USA.,d Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine , University of California San Diego , San Diego , CA , USA
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Armistead-Jehle P, Green P. Model for the effects of invalid styles of response. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY-ADULT 2016; 23:449-58. [DOI: 10.1080/23279095.2016.1178646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Paul Green
- Private Practice, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Abstract
Tests of design fluency (DF) assess a participant’s ability to generate geometric patterns and are thought to measure executive functions involving the non-dominant frontal lobe. Here, we describe the properties of a rapidly administered computerized design-fluency (C-DF) test that measures response times, and is automatically scored. In Experiment 1, we found that the number of unique patterns produced over 90 s by 180 control participants (ages 18 to 82 years) correlated with age, education, and daily computer-use. Each line in the continuous 4-line patterns required approximately 1.0 s to draw. The rate of pattern production and the incidence of repeated patterns both increased over the 90 s test. Unique pattern z-scores (corrected for age and computer-use) correlated with the results of other neuropsychological tests performed on the same day. Experiment 2 analyzed C-DF test-retest reliability in 55 participants in three test sessions at weekly intervals and found high z-score intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC = 0.79). Z-scores in the first session did not differ significantly from those of Experiment 1, but performance improved significantly over repeated tests. Experiment 3 investigated the performance of Experiment 2 participants when instructed to simulate malingering. Z-scores were significantly reduced and pattern repetitions increased, but there was considerable overlap with the performance of the control population. Experiment 4 examined performance in veteran patients tested more than one year after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Patients with mild TBI performed within the normal range, but patients with severe TBI showed reduced z-scores. The C-DF test reliably measures visuospatial pattern generation ability and reveals performance deficits in patients with severe TBI.
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50
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Armistead-Jehle P, Lange BJ, Green P. Comparison of Neuropsychological and Balance Performance Validity Testing. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY-ADULT 2016; 24:190-197. [PMID: 27078046 DOI: 10.1080/23279095.2015.1132219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Performance validity testing in the context of neuropsychological assessment is well established. While such measures are also available with balance testing, little research has investigated these two domains in concert. The purpose of this study was to compare scores on two measures of performance validity across cognitive and balance modalities. Seventy-eight subjects independently evaluated by a neuropsychologist and an otolaryngologist in the context of disability evaluations were administered the Word Memory Test and Computerized Dynamic Posturography. Results of the measures were significantly correlated (rφ = 0.35, p = .002) and demonstrated 70.5% agreement. These data suggest that if symptom exaggeration occurs within one modality, other modalities may also be exaggerated and should be independently evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Beth J Lange
- b Neurovestibular Program, University of Calgary , Alberta , Canada
| | - Paul Green
- c Private Practice , Edmonton , Alberta , Canada
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