Administration order effects on the test of memory malingering

Area of Science:

• Neuropsychology
• Cognitive Psychology
• Psychometrics

Background:

• The Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) is a key tool for detecting inconsistent effort in cognitive assessments.
• Understanding potential influences on TOMM scores, such as prior testing, is crucial for accurate interpretation.
• The Boston Naming Test (BNT) is a common visual-verbal test that might precede memory assessments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if the administration order of the Boston Naming Test (BNT) affects scores on the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM).
• To determine if a visual test administered between TOMM Trial 2 and the TOMM Retention Trial (TOMM-R) impacts TOMM-R results.
• To assess the influence of test sequencing on the validity of TOMM performance.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a sample of 72 university students.
• Employed four different orders of test administration, including BNT before TOMM and a visual test during the TOMM interval.
• Applied a series of nonparametric statistical tests to analyze score variations.

Main Results:

• A lower median score on TOMM Trial 1 (TOMM-1) was observed when the BNT was administered prior to the TOMM.
• However, only one participant out of 36 who took the BNT first scored below 45 on TOMM-1, indicating minimal clinical significance.
• No other significant differences were found across the different administration orders for TOMM or TOMM-R scores.

Conclusions:

• The order of test administration, specifically placing the BNT before the TOMM, appears to have a negligible impact on TOMM performance.
• The inclusion of a visual test between TOMM trials does not significantly alter TOMM-R outcomes.
• Overall, the findings suggest that the sequence of these tests is unlikely to be a critical factor in determining TOMM scores, supporting its general utility.