Longitudinal stability of RBANS profiles in a geriatric community-dwelling sample

This investigation is an extension of a previous study that identified four neurocognitive RBANS groups via cluster analysis in a geriatric community-dwelling sample of 699 individuals who were at least 65 years of age. Groups were examined longitudinally over a 2-year interval to establish if they exhibited marked score changes over three assessment periods. Dropout rates, onset of medical pathology, and self-reported functioning were tracked at each evaluation. Results confirmed that cluster scores were generally stable over time although the Low Immediate Memory group's Immediate Memory index score regressed upward toward the mean by the third assessment. Of interest, individuals in the Below Average group had substantial dropout between the first and third assessments. Results are interpreted through a clinical framework to explore how RBANS cluster profiles may have predictive value in general neurocognitive functioning over the observed time period and be potentially influenced by general health factors.