Embedded effort scales in the repeatable battery for the assessment of neuropsychological status: do they detect neurocognitive malingering?

The current study examined two embedded response bias measures in the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), the Effort Index (EI) and Effort Scale (ES), in relation to Malingered Neurocognitive Dysfunction criteria. We examined 105 individuals undergoing compensation-seeking disability evaluations. The results suggest the EI adequately differentiates the Probable/Definite Malingering group from the Incentive Only and Possible Malingering groups, while the ES does not, which is most likely representative of the current sample of disability litigants rather than its intended population of patients with amnesia. Classification accuracy statistics suggest that while the EI may not be an appropriate stand-alone measure in detecting neurocognitive malingering, it shows utility as a complementary or screening measure in forensic settings.