The validity of the Shipley-Hartford retreat test for “deterioration”

Summary

• 1. The Shipley-Hartford Scale test was given to 50 patients in a State hospital. Most of the patients are unimproved and have been in the hospital for a number of years.

• 2. The vast majority of patients with dementia præcox and of patients with psychoses with organic states showed signs of “deterioration.” This corresponded closely with their clinical states.

• 3. The test seems to be a valid and valuable addition to our diagnostic armamentarium. It should be considered as such and not as an absolute diagnosis of “deterioration.” It should be regarded only as an aid to our present diagnostic methods of investigation.