Detection of Simulated Memory Impairment in 6- to 11-Year-Old Children

Abstract

The Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) and the Word Memory Test (WMT) are measures designed to detect poor effort that have been extensively used with adults. Little research has been conducted examining whether these tests are suitable for use in children. The aims of the present study were to (a) examine if children between the ages of 6 and 11 years were able to obtain scores above cutoffs recommended for adults on the TOMM, (b) identify clinically useful cutoff scores for the oral WMT, (c) determine whether the TOMM and the oral WMT were able to differentiate controls (n = 50) and coached simulators (n = 40) aged 6 to 11 years, and, lastly, (d) reading ability, nonverbal reasoning and vocabulary level were measured to determine if these factors affected performance on the TOMM and oral WMT. Results revealed that 98% of children instructed to perform at their best were able to meet criteria on the TOMM. Based on a cutoff score of less than 78.5% on the mean of the Immediate and Delayed Trials of the oral WMT, 98% of the controls and 90% of the coached simulators were correctly identified. Results indicated that the TOMM and oral WMT are useful measures for the detection of enactment in children as young as 6.

Keywords:

• Diagnostic techniques and procedures
• Patient simulation
• Prevalence
• ROC curve
• Sensitivity and specificity
• Classification