Brief Description

The Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) is a brief, standardized battery consisting of 12 subtests designed to assess five domains of cognitive functioning in adults aged 20 to 89. The subtests evaluate memory, language ability, visuospatial/constructional skills, attention, and processing speed. The tool is widely used for the diagnosis and monitoring of cognitive disorders, including dementia.

Purpose

The RBANS aims to detect or distinguish cases of brain damage, dementia, and broader cognitive deficits in adults through the evaluation of key cognitive functions.

Scoring Method

Scoring is based on the summation of individual scores from the twelve subtests, grouped into five functional domains. Each domain is converted into scaled scores, which are then combined to yield a total index score. Final scores are compared to population norms and interpreted to identify the examinee’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses.

Validity

The RBANS has been adapted for use in Greece with a sample of 262 neurologically healthy individuals aged 20 to 85. Its discriminant validity has been confirmed in a clinical sample of individuals with multiple sclerosis.

Reliability

The RBANS demonstrates high reliability in international literature. The individual domains show satisfactory internal consistency and test–retest reliability.

Data Analysis and Use

RBANS data are used for the development of normative benchmarks within the Greek population and for both clinical and research purposes (e.g., early detection of dementia). Performance on each subtest is analyzed according to age and educational level, offering valuable diagnostic tools for assessing and monitoring neuropsychological syndromes.

References

Messinis, L., Gourzoulidou, E., Lyros, E., & Papathanassopoulos, P. (2008). Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS): Preliminary norms for clinical and research use.
Randolph, C. (1998). Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status Manual. San Antonio, TX: The Psychological Corporation, Harcourt Brace & Company.ny.