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Effects of coaching on malingered motor function profiles
L J Rapport1, T J Farchione, R D Coleman
1Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA. rapport@sun.science.wayne.edu
Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology
|July 22, 1998
Summary
Detecting malingered motor functioning is complex. Non-physiological patterns in motor tests showed poor accuracy in predicting malingering, suggesting limitations in current assessment methods for traumatic brain injury and post-concussive syndrome.
Area of Science:
- Neuropsychology
- Forensic Psychology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Non-physiological performance patterns in motor functioning have been observed in patients with post-concussive syndrome.
- These patterns differ from those seen in traumatic brain injury, where impairment correlates with task complexity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate motor functioning measures for a non-physiological performance pattern.
- To assess the accuracy of pattern analysis in identifying malingered motor functioning.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated motor functioning (grip strength, finger tapping, grooved pegs) in litigating patients.
- Compared performance patterns between post-concussive syndrome, traumatic brain injury, controls, and malingerers (N=92).
- Exploratory analyses examined the role of IQ in successful dissimulation.
Main Results:
- Malingerers performed worse on motor tests than controls, but non-physiologic configurations had poor predictive accuracy.
- The specific motor performance pattern (grip strength < finger tapping < grooved pegs) seen in post-concussive syndrome was not reliably identified in malingerers.
- IQ may influence the ability to feign deficits.
Conclusions:
- Current pattern analysis of motor functioning has not proven reliable or valid for detecting malingering.
- Further research is needed to refine methods for assessing genuine versus feigned motor deficits in clinical and forensic evaluations.