The Reliable Digit Span Test in Chronic Pain: Classification Accuracy in Detecting Malingered Pain-Related Disability

This study used criterion groups validation (known-groups design) to examine the classification accuracy of the Reliable Digit Span test (RDS) in a large group of chronic pain patients referred for psychological evaluation. The sample consisted of 612 patients classified into one of six groups based on evidence of malingered pain-related disability (MPRD): No-Incentive, Not MPRD; Incentive-Only, Not MPRD; Indeterminate; Possible MPRD; Probable MPRD; Definite MPRD. A total of 30 college student simulators were also included. Lower average RDS scores and higher rates of RDS failure were seen in patients classified as MPRD and in simulators. Consistent with previous literature in a variety of populations, RDS = 6 provided the most accurate differentiation between MPRD and non-MPRD pain patients. Clinical implications are discussed.