When 10 is enough: Errors on the first 10 items of the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMMe10) and administration time predict freestanding performance validity tests (PVTs) and underperformance on memory measures

Abstract

It is critical that we develop more efficient performance validity tests (PVTs). A shorter version of the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) that utilizes errors on the first 10 items (TOMMe10) has shown promise as a freestanding PVT. Retrospective review included 397 consecutive veterans administered TOMM trial 1 (TOMM1), the Medical Symptom Validity Test (MSVT), and the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R). TOMMe10 accuracy and administration time were used to predict performance on freestanding PVTs (TOMM1, MSVT). The impact of failing TOMMe10 (2 or more errors) on independent memory measures was also explored. TOMMe10 was a robust predictor of TOMM1 (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.97) and MSVT (AUC = 0.88) with sensitivities = 0.76 to 0.89 and specificities = 0.89 to 0.96. Administration time predicted PVT performance but did not improve accuracy compared to TOMMe10 alone. Failing TOMMe10 was associated with clinically and statistically significant declines on the BVMT-R and MSVT Paired Associates and Free Recall memory tests (d = −0.32 to −1.31). Consistent with prior research, TOMMe10 at 2 or more errors was highly accurate in predicting performance on other well-validated freestanding PVTs. Failing just 1 freestanding PVT (TOMMe10) significantly impacted memory measures and likely reflects invalid test performance.

Keywords:

• Medical Symptoms validity test
• memory
• neuropsychology
• test of memory malingering
• veterans

Disclosure statement

There are no conflicts of interest to report. The views and opinions contained in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Veteran Affairs.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Office of Research and Development, Department of Veterans Affairs.