Validity of determining innate Mizaj (temperament) based on facial characteristics: a comparative study

摘要

In traditional Iranian medicine,accurate determination of Mizaj plays a very important role in the etiology and treatment of diseases.There are a lot of evidences and documents in original Iranian traditional medicine books and documents related to the relationship between Mizaj and the facial character and appearance.In this study,we investigated the validity of determining Mizaj based on facial dimensions and characteristics.For this purpose,a software was developed to determine Mizaj based on an algorithm of facial dimensions and appearance.This cross-sectional study investigated the validity of identifying Mizaj based on facial dimensions and appearance(using the facial-based Mizaj recognition software)by comparison with the Mizaj determined by a standardized questionnaire and by using the traditional method of experts’opinion on determining the Mizaj.The inclusion criteria of the study were being healthy,using no medication,and consent to participate in the study.The sample size of the study was 83 people.For analyzing the data,SPSS software version 19 was used.Also,for examining the level of internal agreement of the data,Kappa statistics were used.The results of the study showed that the level of agreement between determining Mizaj by facial characteristics with the experts’distinction of Mizaj is almost complete,and the level of agreement with the Mizaj questionnaire was moderate.The results showed that the facial-based Mizaj recognition software has a good validity to detect the Mizaj of individuals in the study sample.Although,studies with a larger sample size are needed to confirm the results of this study.