Alternative method of gifted identification using the AMI: an apparatus for measuring internal meridians and their corresponding organs.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if meridian energy (qi or bioelectricity), as measured by the Apparatus for Measuring the Internal Organs and their Corresponding Meridians (AMI), could distinguish between gifted and average boys and to gather evidence to assess if the AMI device could be effective as an educational diagnostic tool, specifically for identifying gifted children.


METHODS
Quasi-experimental design using discriminant analysis to determine how accurately the AMI could predict group membership previously determined by intelligence tests.


METHODS
Practitioner's office within clinic in Albuquerque, New Mexico.


METHODS
Thirty-three (33 boys; gifted, n = 11 and average, n = 22) ranging in age from 9 to 12 years.


METHODS
Meridian nervous system energy levels as measured by the AMI.


RESULTS
On average, boys in the gifted group had statistically significantly calmer nervous system measures than the boys in the average group. The discriminant function generated from the AMI nervous system measures accurately predicted group membership 70% of the time. Classification accuracy by groups indicated that 55% of the gifted cases and 82% of the average cases were correctly classified. Upon cross-validation, accuracy by group stayed consistent with the average group (82%) and improved with the gifted group (64%).


CONCLUSIONS
Bioelectrical energy patterns of the nervous system, as measured by the AMI, could distinguish between gifted and average boys. The accuracy found in this current study using the AMI as a screening tool to detect giftedness is promising, however, further studies will need to be conducted to see if the findings can be replicated.
Borg
Heather
H
Alternative Solutions Research, 225 Country Lane, Bosque Farms, NM 87068, USA. borg@uaps.edu
D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002672:Child, Gifted; D016002:Discriminant Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007361:Intelligence Tests / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D016740:Meridians; D009516:New Mexico; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012107:Research Design