An exploration of the factor structures of the Short Parallel Assessments of Neuropsychological Status (SPANS) in two independent samples

Literature Review: The literature review explored the factor structures of the RBANS reported in existing literature. With the systematic search of four databases, 11 quantitative papers were identified as relevant and included in this review. Six reported two-factor solutions, two suggested five-factor solutions, one found three-factor model, one demonstrated bi-factor model and the other one reported second-order factor model. Research to date showed that limited empirical support to the original RBANS structure has been found and there was little consensus regarding the factor structure of the RBANS. Given the important role that neuropsychological measures play in the neuro-rehabilitation services, this should be privileged in future research. Empirical Research Project: The foremost aim of neuropsychological assessment is usually multifaceted and aims to aid clinicians in making clinical decisions about clients by utilising neuropsychological test batteries to identify the cognitive strengths and impairments of the clients. The present study aimed to explore the latent constructs of the SPANS in two independent samples: non-clinical (n=393) and clinical (n=121). Principal axis EFA was conducted to analyse the common variance from the SPANS subtests and two three-factor solutions were derived respectively from the non-clinical and clinical samples with different factors emergent. The three factors derived from the non-clinical sample comprise: Visual, learning and memory retention of the newly learned information, recognition memory, and general knowledge and attention and working memory. The three factors emerged from the clinical sample consist of: Visuo-motor and efficiency, receptive and expressive language, and learning and retention. The findings had a few clinical implications, limitations of the study and future research ideas were discussed.