Regression-based formulas for predicting change in RBANS subtests with older adults

• Published in: Archives of clinical neuropsychology 2005-05, Vol.20 (3), p.281-290
• Main Authors: Duff, Kevin, Schoenberg, Mike R., Patton, Doyle, Paulsen, Jane S., Bayless, John D., Mold, James, Scott, James G., Adams, Russell L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age Factors; Aged; Algorithms; Biological and medical sciences; Cognition Disorders - diagnosis; Developmental psychology; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Geriatric Assessment; Humans; Male; Neuropsychological Tests; Older adults; Prediction; Predictive Value of Tests; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Psychometric change; Psychometrics; RBANS; Regression Analysis; Reproducibility of Results
• ISSN: 0887-6177; 1873-5843
• DOI: 10.1016/j.acn.2004.07.007

Repeated neuropsychological assessments are common with older adults, and the determination of clinically significant change across time is an important issue. Regression-based prediction formulas have been utilized with other patient and healthy control samples to predict follow-up test performance based on initial performance and demographic variables. Comparisons between predicted and observed follow-up performances can assist clinicians in making the determination of change in the individual patient. The current study developed regression-based prediction equations for the twelve subtests of the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) in a sample of 223 community dwelling older adults. All algorithms included both initial test performances and demographic variables. These algorithms were then validated on a separate elderly sample ( n = 222). Minimal differences were present between Observed and Predicted follow-up scores in the Validation sample, suggesting that the prediction formulas would be useful for practitioners who assess older adults. A case example is presented that utilizes the formulas.