Performance on the Wechsler-Bellevue scale and insulin shock therapy.

Abstract

Pre- and post-treatment intelligence test scores were obtained from 42 schizophrenics. Statistically significant mean gains for verbal, performance and full IQ scores, as well as for the picture arrangement, picture completion and block design subtests are reported after insulin treatment. It is suggested that much of the test change is the result of practice. No signifi- cant relationship exists between change in IQ and clinical improvement, but patients with higher pre-treatment IQ''s are more likely to be classified as improved after treatment with insulin shock or other therapies.