Palm temperature and core temperature as important indices of temperament

Background: Although temperament is considered one of the most important principles of traditional medicine, it has always been one of the challenging issues among experts. Therefore, the present study was planned aiming to determine the importance and validity of temperature and anthropometric factors in determining temperament. Methods: A cross - sectional study was performed on 20 to 25 year old students of Tehran University of Medical Sciences.  Initially, using a standard questionnaire temperament of the participants was determined. Then its relationship with central and peripheral temperature, height and weight and body mass index (BMI) was analyzed via correlation test and with the significance level of p < 0.05. Results: 102 students (45.1% male and 54.9% female) were enrolled. Analyses showed the significant correlation of temperament score with core temperature, and skin temperature at the tip of the index finger, palm and wrist as well as anthropometric factors. Among them, temperature of palms (r=79.0, p < 0.0001) and core temperature (r=78.0, p < 0.0001) had the highest correlation. Conclusion : The findings of the present study showed that palm temperature and sublingual temperature had a strong correlation with temperament and can be considered as the two main indices used for determining temperament.