TITLE:
Test-Retest Reliability, Convergent Validity and Practice Effects of the RBANS in a Memory Clinic Setting: A Pilot Study
AUTHORS:
Yanhong Dong, Claire L. Thompson, Shi Huey Joanne Tan, Leon Ben Swie Lim, Wanshin Pang, Christopher Li-Hsian Chen
KEYWORDS:
RBANS; Neuropsychological Tests; Test-retest Reliability; Validity; Practice Effect
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Medical Psychology,
Vol.2 No.4B,
October
21,
2013
ABSTRACT: This pilot study
examined the psychometric properties and clinical utility of a brief
neuropsychological instrument (Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of
Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). The test-retest reliability, practice effects
and convergent validity of RBANS were examined in participants without
objective cognitive impairment. The tests were administered at two time points
at approximately a two weeks’ interval, with 30 cognitively intact participants
with a mean age of 63.3 ± 5.8 years. Adequate test-retest reliabilities were
found for RBANS subtests, index and total scale scores with significant gain
scores in immediate memory and visuospatial function. The RBANS showed good
convergent validity and the RBANS supplemented with executive and language
measures (Colour Trails Test and 30-item modified Boston Naming Test,
respectively) demonstrated excellent convergent validity with a formal neuropsychological
battery. This pilot study has provided the preliminary evidence of reliability
and convergent validity of the RBANS. Additionally, it also provides insight on
the practice effects so that clinicians may assess significant changes in RBANS
subtests and domain indexes for clinical practice.