B – 143 A Sensor-Based Gait Measure for Identifying Invalid Performance in Simulated MTBI: A Proof of Concept

Abstract Objective Psychologists are increasingly called upon to make complex decisions affected by an individuals’ effort, which often relies on performance validity testing. Because most measures of performance validity are cognitively-based, there is utility in exploring alternative assessment modalities. Recently, a sensor-based gait assessment has been validated as a predictor of sports concussion outcomes. The current, preregistered study serves as a proof of concept utilizing the same measure of gait to differentiate individuals instructed to simulate a mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) from those with a sports-related mTBI (concussion). Method 106 uninjured young adults were recruited and instructed to simulate mTBI. These individuals were then compared to 75 normal controls and 75 individuals with sports-related clinical mTBI. All participants completed an accelerometer-based measure of gait known as the BioKinetoGraph (BKG) as a part of a larger battery designed to assess for concussion in athletes. The simulating groups also completed the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM-2) as a manipulation check. Results Unique abnormalities in the gait domains of Stride (timing), Power, Balance, and Symmetry were observed among simulating participants compared to mTBI participants. Conclusion Findings offer preliminary support for the use of a gait-based measure in capturing presentations of invalid performance, and how this information can inform investigations regarding effort.