Sensitivity of the Memory Validity Profile (MVP): Raising the bar

ABSTRACT

The Memory Validity Profile (MVP) is a performance validity test (PVT) designed specifically for pediatric populations and utilizes specific cut-points for identifying noncredible performance at different ages. This study aims to evaluate the MVP using a known-groups design to determine optimal cut-off scores for detecting noncredible performance in youths with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) across different age-groups. Participants were 114 youths (age 5–17) with mTBI who were referred for neuropsychological evaluation in a hospital-based concussion clinic. All participants were administered the Nonverbal-Medical Symptom Validity Test (NV-MSVT) and the MVP. Participants who failed the NV-MSVT were also administered the TOMM. Participants who failed both the NV-MSVT and the TOMM comprised the criterion group (i.e., the “Failed two PVTs” group). Participants who failed only one PVT were excluded from the analysis. ROC curve analyses revealed good discriminability (AUC = .844: 95%, CI = 676–1.0, p = .001) with acceptable sensitivity (.73) and specificity (.91) for an optimal MVP Total score cut-off ≤31. There were no differences in MVP Total scores across age-groups. In conclusion, adopting stricter cut-points for non-credible performance and applying these consistently across all age groups in a mTBI population increases the clinical utility of the MVP.

KEYWORDS:

• Pediatric
• brain injury
• performance validity
• memory validity profile

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.