A REVISION OF THE PSYCHIATRIC RATING SCALE

Abstract

In a previous paper(I) we described a psychiatric rating scale and demonstrated its use as a method for quantitative recording of psychiatric clinical findings and the changes that occur in them during the course of the illness. It was pointed out that a recording method of this type was particularly essential in any scientific investigation, the purpose of which is to search for possible correlation between clinical symptoms and physiological or biochemical data. It was also found that when patients were rated with this scale by several psychiatrists there was a satisfactory correlation in scores so that independent determination by individual workers could be regarded as reliable. In a subsequent paper(2) the application of this scale in an investigation of a number of patients suffering from agitated depression was reported. It was found that it was possible to use this scale in correlating changes in the clinical picture produced by electric shock treatment with the concomitant neurophysiological and biochemical findings. During the last 15 months, since the conclusion of the work reported in the abovementioned papers, we have continued our studies on this rating scale, our main purpose being to render it a more adequate tool for evaluation of changes in the clinical picture and extend its applicability in research investigations. These studies have resulted in the correction of certain faults in the original scale, and we now present the revised scale and our experiences in the use of it. First however we would like to point out some of the more important changes that were made and the reasons for introducing them. In the first place it was important to establish a more adequate base line against which the deviations in the clinical picture of our patients could be compared. In our briginal