Development of an MMPI reference group for outpatients with persisting symptoms following mild TBI

ABSTRACT

Objective

To develop an MMPI-2-RF reference group for persistently symptomatic patients with mTBI in order to aid interpretation and better evaluate atypical scale elevations.

Method

Using the Q Local MMPI-2-RF Comparison Group Generator (CGG), 200 valid MMPI-2-RF profiles were aggregated for mTBI outpatients with persisting symptoms 2–24 months post injury.

Results

Compared to established MMPI general population norms, individuals with persisting symptoms demonstrated elevations on several scales, primarily in cognitive and somatic domains. T scores > 60 and standard deviations > 10 were observed for the F-r (Infrequent Responses), Fs (Infrequent Somatic Responses), FBS-r (Symptom Validity), RBS (Response Bias Scale), RC1 (Somatic Complaints), MLS (Malaise), HPC (Head Pain Complaints), NUC (Neurological Complaints), and COG (Cognitive Complaints) scales. All other scales were consistent with established norms for the general population.

Conclusion

This study is the first to establish an empirically derived MMPI reference group for individuals with persisting symptoms following mTBI. By comparing MMPI profiles of patients with mTBI against this reference group, clinicians may be better able to identify abnormal symptomatology. Evaluating profiles within this context may allow for more accurate case conceptualization and targeted treatment recommendations for those patients who demonstrate disproportionate symptomatology outside the range of the mTBI reference group.

KEYWORDS:

• Assessment
• MMPI-2-RF
• mild traumatic brain injury
• concussion

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dr. Jed McGiffin for his assistance in the preparation of this manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under Grant Number 90ARHF0001. The contents of this article do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, or HHS, and readers should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.