The Predictability of RBANS from the TOPF and Demographic variables
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An investigation into the use of the Test of Premorbid Functioning (TOPF) and demographic variables to estimate performance on the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS)
IRAS ID
300341
Contact name
Hayley Gould
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Hull
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Research Summary
Neuropsychological assessment aims to objectively assess cognitive functioning and mental status to determine whether there has been a decline in functioning over time or following a clinical event, such as a stroke.
To do this, it is important to have an idea of what a patient’s prior level of functioning was (their pre-morbid functioning) for clinicians to compare the patient’s current performance to, to determine whether there has been a decline in functioning. Pre-morbid data is not usually available and clinicians will often estimate this value using a variety of methods. One method is to use reading tests and demographic variables to predict pre-morbid functioning.
The Test of Pre-morbid Functioning (TOPF) is one reading test that is commonly used to predict pre-morbid functioning. This score is then compared to a measure of current cognitive functioning to determine cognitive decline. The Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), a test of current neuropsychological functioning, is often used alongside the TOPF in services and the scores are compared to determine cognitive decline.
Despite often being used side by side in services and their scores compared, there is currently a gap in the research to inform an objective statistical method to compare these two tests and to accurately quantify cognitive decline. Instead, clinical judgement is often used, which is a subjective and variable method.
This research aims to provide an objective, statistical method to compare these two scores so that cognitive decline can be evaluated by clinicians more easily and consistently. To achieve this, the RBANS and TOPF will be administered to a control sample. A regression equation will be generated to investigate the predictability of the RBANS from the TOPF and demographic variables. This will then be cross-validated with a clinical sample of individuals.Summary of Results
Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the predictability of the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) from the Test of Premorbid Functioning (TOPF) and demographic variables. To do this, it aims to derive regression models for each of the indexes and scores on the RBANS that may assist to inform clinicians when predicting premorbid performance on the RBANS.
Method: Fifty six community dwelling participants, who did not have a neurological disorder, made up the sample from which the regression models were created. To create the models, multiple linear regression analysis was used. The models were then applied to a clinical sample of individuals with neurological conditions to generate a premorbid estimate of cognition and to to assess how well the models could identify cognitive decline.
Results: Significant models were found for all RBANS indexes apart from the Visuospatial index. Visuospatial functioning is thought to be less well predicted by oral word reading tests. The TOPF was better at predicting verbal subtests comparative to non-verbal subtests. Significant differences were found between the premorbid estimations and current performances in the Clinical sample, but not in the non-clinical sample. This suggests that the models are sensitive to identifying cognitive decline.
Conclusions: Regression models are presented that assist in predicting premorbid functioning on the RBANS. The results show that caution is needed when estimating premorbid visuospatial functioning using the TOPF. The initial results seem promising and suggest that the RBANS premorbid scores are somewhat predictable using the TOPF and Demographic variables. However, further research is necessary to validate the models for clinical use.More information can be found here: https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fu2790089.ct.sendgrid.net%2Fls%2Fclick%3Fupn%3DXv3JSvJ-2B3M71ppf7N9agbWiDkrWup11HB55gUrj-2B0JZUK564op7x6f9JybGTyrxucMgtcpIVt1KJq20OlwNvtw-3D-3DLT66_E1aO2-2BZlVOSJJV-2FajQqskegTd6IRomHYTi-2Fbt8SH3YLuQwbuzQQN6M9TYYNh4xmvYqSfexZZoHnrKtBNfo4SluJJA1vjVHSuSxQWDT2hUFFZHp210lVqcyy3DPbSyA0k1KFytSLxLUet3AvfsjkH5mR63D1UnWiE7EyZuVDUiiHIg-2FogSpbQDy-2FeyLvqtZO-2B1j-2FtnFkj5NBrX3gseMF0NfHBZhnsaD-2BgF7n7C-2FdpZGM-3D&data=05%7C01%7Capprovals%40hra.nhs.uk%7C1bb1232a94834ae4c28208dadc3220d3%7C8e1f0acad87d4f20939e36243d574267%7C0%7C0%7C638064405097495123%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=hIlL2CoEe3bBSt91F%2BlHxw%2B4PM9A7yQeqS2SXANLpcQ%3D&reserved=0
REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/NE/0216
Date of REC Opinion
8 Dec 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion