Factor analysis of the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) in a large sample of patients suspected of dementia.
The Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS; Randolph, 1998) is a popular neuropsychological assessment instrument with research supporting its clinical utility. However, the index structure of the RBANS was derived theoretically and was not based on factor analysis. The purpose of this study was to examine the factor structure in a large heterogeneous sample of patients referred for a dementia evaluation, using exploratory factor analysis. Results suggest a two-factor solution, the first factor defined predominantly as a memory factor and the second as predominantly a visuospatial factor. This study also sought to validate the obtained factors by examining their relationship with external neuropsychological variables. Correlations between the external variables provide further support for Factor 1 as a memory factor. Correlations with Factor 2 support its visuospatial features, although this factor may also be associated with other cognitive domains such as attention and general ability.
Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, Texas 75799, USA. andrew_schmitt@uttyler.edu
Andrew L
AL
Schmitt
Ronald B
RB
Livingston
Eric N
EN
Smernoff
Eirah M
EM
Reese
Donald G
DG
Hafer
James B
JB
Harris
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001076:Aptitude; D001288:Attention; D003071:Cognition; D003704:Dementia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D006801:Humans; D008568:Memory; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009484:Neuropsychology; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D013028:Space Perception