The power of timing: Adding a time-to-completion cutoff to the Word Choice Test and Recognition Memory Test improves classification accuracy.
J Clin Exp Neuropsychol
; 39(4): 369-383, 2017 May.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-28285575
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
The Recognition Memory Test (RMT) and Word Choice Test (WCT) are structurally similar, but psychometrically different. Previous research demonstrated that adding a time-to-completion cutoff improved the classification accuracy of the RMT. However, the contribution of WCT time-cutoffs to improve the detection of invalid responding has not been investigated. The present study was designed to evaluate the classification accuracy of time-to-completion on the WCT compared to the accuracy score and the RMT.METHOD:
Both tests were administered to 202 adults (Mage = 45.3 years, SD = 16.8; 54.5% female) clinically referred for neuropsychological assessment in counterbalanced order as part of a larger battery of cognitive tests.RESULTS:
Participants obtained lower and more variable scores on the RMT (M = 44.1, SD = 7.6) than on the WCT (M = 46.9, SD = 5.7). Similarly, they took longer to complete the recognition trial on the RMT (M = 157.2 s,SD = 71.8) than the WCT (M = 137.2 s, SD = 75.7). The optimal cutoff on the RMT (≤43) produced .60 sensitivity at .87 specificity. The optimal cutoff on the WCT (≤47) produced .57 sensitivity at .87 specificity. Time-cutoffs produced comparable classification accuracies for both RMT (≥192 s; .48 sensitivity at .88 specificity) and WCT (≥171 s; .49 sensitivity at .91 specificity). They also identified an additional 6-10% of the invalid profiles missed by accuracy score cutoffs, while maintaining good specificity (.93-.95). Functional equivalence was reached at accuracy scores ≤43 (RMT) and ≤47 (WCT) or time-to-completion ≥192 s (RMT) and ≥171 s (WCT).CONCLUSIONS:
Time-to-completion cutoffs are valuable additions to both tests. They can function as independent validity indicators or enhance the sensitivity of accuracy scores without requiring additional measures or extending standard administration time.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Choice Behavior
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Recognition, Psychology
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Neuropsychological Tests
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
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Humans
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Male
/
Middle aged
Language:
En
Journal:
J Clin Exp Neuropsychol
Journal subject:
NEUROLOGIA
/
PSICOLOGIA
Year:
2017
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Canada