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Patterns of Cognitive Test Scores and Symptom Complaints in Persons with TBI Who Failed Performance Validity Testing

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 May 2020

Mark Sherer Open the ORCID record for Mark Sherer [Opens in a new window] ,
Angelle M. Sander ,
Jennie Ponsford ,
Leia Vos ,
Julia M.P. Poritz ,
Esther Ngan  and
Luis Leon Novelo
Mark Sherer*
Affiliation:
TIRR Memorial Hermann, Houston, TX, USA
Angelle M. Sander
Affiliation:
TIRR Memorial Hermann, Houston, TX, USA H. Ben Taub Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine & Harris Health System, Houston, TX, USA
Jennie Ponsford
Affiliation:
Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, Epworth Healthcare, Turner Institute of Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Leia Vos
Affiliation:
Acute Mental Health, Neuropsychology, Zablocki (Milwaukee) VA Medical Center, Milwaukee, WI, USA Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
Julia M.P. Poritz
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
Esther Ngan
Affiliation:
Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
Luis Leon Novelo
Affiliation:
Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
*
*Correspondence and reprint requests to: Mark Sherer, TIRR Research Center, 1333 Moursund, Houston, TX77030. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Objective:

To determine clinically meaningful subgroups of persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI) who have failed performance validity testing.

Method:

Study participants were selected from a cohort of 674 participants with definitive medical evidence of TBI. Participants were those who failed performance validity testing (the Word Memory Test, using the standard cutoffs). Participants were administered cognitive tests and self-report questionnaires. Test and questionnaire results were summarized as 12 dimension scores. Cluster analysis using the k-means method was performed.

Results:

Cluster analysis for the 143 retained participants indicated three subgroups. These subgroups differed on patterns of scores. Subgroup 1 was impaired for memory and had no excessive complaints. Subgroup 2 had impaired memory and processing speed as well as concern regarding cognition function. Subgroup 3 showed impairment on all cognitive tests and excess complaints in multiple areas.

Conclusions:

These results provide a preliminary basis for improved understanding of poor performance validity.

Keywords

Performance validityTraumatic brain injuryCognitive testsSelf-report questionnairesSubgroups
Type
Brief Communication
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 26 , Issue 9 , October 2020 , pp. 932 - 938
Copyright
Copyright © INS. Published by Cambridge University Press, 2020

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