A Comparison Of Symptom Validity Tests For Academic Neuropsychological Evaluations: Medical Symptom Validity Test Versus The Word Reading Test

摘要

Symptom Validity Tests (SVTs) are designed to detect suboptimal effort during nemopsychological testing. A majority of SVTs, including the Medical Symptom Validity Test (MSVT), employ memory test formats and are designed for use among patient groups where memory complaints are prominent. In contrast, the Word Reading Test (WRT) is designed to assess effort specific to reading, a common complaint among patients undergoing neuropsychological evaluation for academic purposes. The WRT and the MSVTwere administered as part of cognitive evaluations at a university doctoral clinical psychology training and research clinic. Of the 30 cases analyzed, six (20%) failed either the WRT, the MSVT, or both. The present study supports a u22general-globalu22 hypothesis of effort. Clinical implications of the findings are discussed .