The repeatable battery for the assessment of neuropsychological status (RBANS) and substance use disorders: a systematic review

Background
Cognitive deficits are common in patients with substance use disorder (SUD) and can impact treatment outcomes. The Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) is a widely used tool that could help identify cognitive impairments in SUD patients. This systematic review examines the RBANS’ effectiveness in detecting cognitive impairment in SUD patients and discusses knowledge gaps and the need for further research.

Methods
A systematic search was conducted in PsycINFO, Medline, and Cochrane databases to find relevant studies on the use of RBANS in SUD patients, with no time limits on the search. Keywords included RBANS, substance use disorder, drug use disorder, alcohol use disorder, and common drug types (e.g., opiates, cannabis, methamphetamine).

Results
The search identified 232 articles, with 17 eligible studies included in the review. Most studies focused on alcohol, methamphetamine, or opioid users. The results showed some evidence that RBANS could detect cognitive differences between SUD patients and healthy controls, though findings were inconsistent. There was limited information on cognitive profiles, reliability, factor structure, and validity.

Conclusions
There is limited evidence supporting the validity and utility of RBANS in SUD populations. Future research should explore cognitive profiles, reliability, factor structure, and validity to better understand its role in SUD treatment.