The Shapiro cards scale as a method of assessment of obsessional symptoms in clomipramine therapy.

One of the major problems encountered in research into the value of a new treatment for obsessional states is the small number of patients seen in any one centre. Another problem is the great diversity of symptoms which obsessional patients display. These two problems may be partly overcome by the use of the method of rating devised by Shapiro. The technique is described and its application to the treatment of obsessional disorders illustrated.