Detecting Malingering Detection Using Eye Movements and Response Time (MDER)

Performance Validity Tests (PVTs) are widely used for the detection of sub-optimal effort and malingering in neuropsychological assessments. Threats to their validity however likely to intensify with time (e.g., information available on the web or from legal representatives) and may lead to a decline in their ability to differentiate between malingerers and non-malingerers. Eye movements and response time (RT) are less obvious outcome measures and under less conscious control than more conventional PVT indices (e.g., accuracy). They are therefore promising measures that can aid in detecting malingering when used in conjunction with more conventional PVT indices. The Word Memory Test (WMT) is a widely used PVT in neuropsychological evaluations. As part of the proposed study, TBI patients, chronic pain patients and healthy adults (60 in each group) will be randomly divided to one of two conditions; optimal effort or sub-optimal effort (participants will be asked to play a TBI patient who wishes to present himself as having cognitive deficits or exaggerate existing cognitive deficits). The proposed study will improve the WMT's efficacy in detection of sub-optimal effort in neuropsychological evaluations and therefore protect its validity from future threats. In addition, the proposed study will provide us with better understanding of the effect of TBI on eye movements and RTs in general.

Same as in the brief summary

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion criteria for all participants:

* Adult (18-65) female and males.
* Signed informed consent form.

Inclusion criteria for TBI group:

* TBI of at least mild severity, as operationalized by Post traumatic amnesia (PTA) \< 24 hours
* Glasgow coma scale (GCS) of 13-15
* Loss of consciousness (LOC) of 30 minutes or less.

Inclusion criteria for chronic pain patients:

• Pain without apparent biological value that has persisted beyond three months. This will be based on the participant self-report, electronic medical records and consultation with treating physician.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Exclusion criteria for all participants:

* Any current eye impairment (e.g., limited visual field, nystagmus, astigmatism \[cylinder\], strabismus or any other impairment specified by the participant), past strabismus, and refractive surgery.
* Significant past neurological disorder/s and/or neurosurgery (special emphasis will be put on any language impairment such as aphasia).
* Significant developmental disorders (e.g., learning disabilities such as dyslexia). (d)
* Significant past or present psychiatric disorders (as evident, for example, in psychiatric inpatient hospitalization and past suicide attempts).
* Exclusion according to the last three articles (a-c) will be decided by a joint consultation of the research team.
* Exclusion criteria for TBI patients and healthy adults:
* Any condition of chronic pain (see criteria in the inclusion for the chronic pain group).
* Exclusion criteria for chronic pain patients and health adults:
* Significant current neurological disorder/s (special emphasis will be put on any language impairment such as aphasia) as decided by a joint consultation of the research team.