ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the usefulness of the electrodiagnostic examination for the detection of malingering behavior. It is divided into two parts: nerve conduction studies, and needle electromyography. It is possible that pain can be present in the absence of neuromuscular disorders as in soft tissue or arthritic pathologies. The nerve conduction studies are entirely objective and do not require active participation by the subject. During this procedure, the nerves are stimulated at different current intensities with a handheld stimulator. There are two components to the definition of malingering. First, the symptoms must be invented or exaggerated. Second, that this is done deliberately for the purposes of gain. The only component of the electrodiagnostic exam, which is affected in cases of hysteria or malingering, is the firing pattern of the motor unit potentials: either there is no activation at all, or they fire in decreased numbers at a slow rate or in poorly synchronized groups in a tremorous fashion.
