Research article summary (published 30 May 2004):

[Symptom Validity Testing (SVT) in the suspicion of a simulation or exaggeration of neurocognitive symptoms--a case report]

(Symptomvalidierungstestung (SVT) bei Verdacht auf eine Simulation oder Aggravation neurokognitiver Störungen--ein Fallbericht.)

Full Abstract

The significance of malingering or symptom exaggeration and its appropriate assessment have become increasingly recognised on an international scale. In the field of neurocognitive disorders, not only medicolegal cases, but also a number of clinical conditions are considered especially pertinent for assessment. This case report deals with a 22-year old patient who had suffered a moderately severe brain injury in a car accident almost three years before. In the context of seeking financial compensation from an insurance company, he claimed complete retrograde amnesia for all events and information prior to the accident. Moreover, he presented a Ganser-like response pattern (subsequent near misses) when trying to solve mathematical problems. Therefore, forced-choice symptom validity testing was performed with simple maths tasks. His response pattern was clearly less than random, indicating controlled incorrect responses and, thus, negative response behaviour. When confronted with this interpretation, he relinquished symptom exaggeration and was able to solve these tasks appropriately. While symptom validity techniques belong to the repertory of neuropsychologists in a number of countries, this is not yet true for Germany. However, their application will increasingly be encouraged to meet quality standards of medicolegal assessment.

Author information

Author/s: Merten, Th (T); Puhlmann, H U (HU);

Affiliation: Klinikum im Friedrichshain, Klinik für Neurologie, Berlin.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Case Reports; English Abstract; Journal Article

Journal: Versicherungsmedizin / herausgegeben von Verband der Lebensversicherungs-Unternehmen e.V. und Verband der Privaten Krankenversicherung e.V (Versicherungsmedizin), published in Germany. (Language: ger)

Reference: 2004-Jun; vol 56 (issue 2) : pp 67-71

Dates: Created 2004/06/30; Completed 2004/08/12; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 15224505, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult Brain Injuries - complications; diagnosis; psychology Cognition Disorders - diagnosis; psychology Disability Evaluation Germany Humans

Humans Insurance Claim Review - standards Male Malingering - complications; diagnosis; psychology Neuropsychological Tests - standards Psychometrics - methods; standards

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