Critical Study of the Organic Integrity Test as a Diagnostic and Therapeutic Index in Schizophrenia1

Abstract

The Organic Integrity Test (OIT) was repeatedly administered in conjunction with other clinical measures to 18 hospitalized schizophrenics over a 20-wk. period, during which patients were treated with neuroleptics. The results showed inadequacies with regard to reliability and stability of the OIT. There was no evidence to indicate that the test is valid for detecting and evaluating schizophrenic psychopathology or for monitoring clinical changes during the course of treatment. Problems with the theoretical and empirical validity of the OIT and shortcomings in the test design were cited in explanation of the findings.