Introduction

Clinical neuropsychologists employ various domains to measure cognitive impairments accurately, necessitating precise tools (Rae-Grant & Parsons, 2014). Psychometric characteristics play a crucial role in determining a battery’s suitability for its intended use, including validity and reliability assessments (Cohen et al., 2022).

Assessment Batteries

Clinical neuropsychologists commonly utilize several batteries, such as the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), the Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (NAB), and the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery (HRNB), to measure cognition across multiple domains (Randolph, 2012).

The RBANS consists of 12 subtests assessing immediate and delayed memory, visuospatial skills, language, and attention in individuals aged 12-89 years old (Randolph, 2012). The NAB comprises 36 tests divided into six modules, evaluating attention, language, spatial abilities, memory, and executive function in adults aged 18-97 years old (Stern & White, 2003). Additionally, the HRNB assesses physical brain function, including motor skills, language, attention, executive function, and visuospatial abilities, originally designed for individuals aged 14-50 years old (Stern & White, 2003).

Technical Review Article Summaries

RBANS

McKay et al. (2007) examined the RBANS’s validity in patients with traumatic brain injuries (TBI), demonstrating its effectiveness in producing index scores comparable to those of specific domain tests. The study included 57 adults with TBIs, showing strong convergent validity and reliability of the RBANS as a screening tool, particularly for adults with TBIs.

Gontkovsky et al. (2004) investigated the RBANS’s psychometrics and reliability in a healthy geriatric sample aged 64-94 years old. The results supported the RBANS’s reliability and validity, indicating its effectiveness in detecting cognitive impairments in older individuals.

PSY FPX 7610 Assessment 2 Evaluation of Technical Quality

NAB

Donders and Levitt (2012) examined the criterion validity of the NAB in individuals with TBI, emphasizing its sensitivity to TBI-related cognitive deficits. Their study included 54 participants with TBIs, demonstrating significant differences in performance compared to healthy individuals and supporting the NAB’s validity in assessing TBI-related cognitive impairments.

References

Cohen, J. A., Rudick, R. A., & Fisher, E. (2022). The neuropsychological batteries for cognitive assessment. In J. A. Cohen (Ed.), Neuropsychology: Theory, Assessment, and Treatment (2nd ed., pp. 187-215). Springer.

Donders, J., & Levitt, T. (2012). Criterion validity of the neuropsychological assessment battery after traumatic brain injury. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 27(4), 440–445. https://doi.org/10.1093/arclin/acs043

Gontkovsky, S. T., Beatty, W. W., & Mold, J. W. (2004). Repeatable battery for the assessment of neuropsychological status in a normal, geriatric sample. Clinical Gerontologist, 27(3).

McKay, C., Casey, J. E., Wertheimer, J., & Fictenberg, N. L. (2007). Reliability and validity of the RBANS in a traumatic brain injured sample. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 22(1), 91–98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acn.2006.11.003

Rae-Grant, A., & Parsons, T. D. (2014). Handbook of clinical neuropsychology. Springer.

Randolph, C. (2012). Repeatable battery for the assessment of neuropsychological status (RBANS). Psychological Assessment Resources.

PSY FPX 7610 Assessment 2 Evaluation of Technical Quality

Stern, R. A., & White, T. (2003). Neuropsychological Assessment Battery. Psychological Assessment Resources.