The initial Colour Breathing CBRT Trials Extensive market research and clinical trials were undertaken in the UK in 1999/2000 to test the effectiveness of the Colour Breathing Disks prior to production and eventual creation of the CBRT product range.
With over 100 voluntary participants, the purpose of the trials was to ascertain:
- If looking at Colour Breathing Disks helped people to relax by themselves
- If Colour Breathing was as effective a relaxation technique as Creative Visualisation
- If the Colour Breathing Disks could help people reach and attain a more relaxed and meditative state
- The perceived market for the products.
The 100 participants participated in two sessions of 1.5 hours each, over a two week period. The group was divided up into smaller groups of 6-8 people and there was no music allowed as we all recognise that music can stimulate or relax. The total group was then divided into group A and group B so the comparative trial could take place fairly.
The words to the book (which accompanies the Colour Breathing Disks) were read onto tapes by a female friend. This took away any notion that the author reading the book herself could change the neutral state of the participants. In the first tape, Caroline read the words of the book in its entirety. For the second tape, she omitted reference to the Colour Breathing Disks and instead asked the audience to visualise a "coloured ball of energy" to relax with.
An extensive personal questionnaire was completed by each volunteer prior to the trials, concerning health and lifestyle issues. Blood pressure readings were taken immediately before and after the trials.
Our trials have been verified by leading UK psychologists as to their content and the manner in which they were conducted.
The Results
We were delighted with responses received after compiling the results tables. 91% of the participants felt that the trial sessions had been a worthwhile and relaxing experience – and our first aim, to see if looking at the Colour Breathing disks helped people to relax by themselves, the answer was a resounding YES!
Our second quest, to see if Colour Breathing was as effective a relaxation technique as Creative Visualisation, the answer was 92% YES.
Our third goal, to see if the Colour Breathing Disks could help people reach and attain a meditative state, 89% of participants said YES. With the marketing questionnaire, the perceived market for all the products was seen to be suitable for all age groups, including men and women.
We hope that you enjoy reading some of the participant’s comments about Colour Breathing.
Some of the volunteer’s main objectives in participating:
“To meditate and relax”
“To satisfy my curiosity”
“Reduce blood pressure”
“To become less stressed and able to cope better in stressful situations”
“Learn to relax”
“Experience a new way of relaxing”
“To see if I can do relaxation”
“Interested in gaining new relaxation skills for myself and to use in my work”
“To achieve a state of inner peace”
Do your feel that Colour Breathing has been a worthwhile experience?
“I feel much calmer”
~
“It achieves deeper relaxation and helps focus the mind”
~
“Excellent”
~
“Felt total relaxation and at peace with myself”
~
“The Colour Breathing disks are very effective. They seem to focus your attention and make your attention zoom in and out…thank you, it was very good.”
~
“The colours were lovely. I kept nodding off after the orange disk because I was so relaxed!”
~
“Most enjoyable”
~
“This method makes relaxation much easier; to focus on something you can see in front of you, rather than just words or music.”
Did you find the Colour Breathing Disks to be of benefit?
“Yes. They took the effort out of visualisation, especially with the first three colours; it normally takes some effort to “start” and “hold” the colour.”
~
“Yes, it was a very beautiful experience.”
~
“My blood pressure went down, so yes, it was a benefit.”
~
“Yes, it was much easier to relax. Each disk had a definite, but different effect.”
~
“Yes, I was able to lose myself in the colours.”
~
“The disks made it easier for me to focus my thoughts.”
Have you noticed any changes in your concept of colour since the Colour Breathing trials?
“It reminded me of the importance of colour and the use of colour in my life generally as well as in visualisation.”
~
“I have noticed that colours seem much clearer, sharper and brighter since the trials.”
~
“I was surprised that I found the blue disk most easy and pleasant to work with – I would normally choose purple as my favourite colour”.
~
“This was a totally new experience for me, which altered my thoughts about relaxation and techniques used. I find the Colour Breathing disks most beneficial and enjoyed letting my body be absorbed by the colours.”
Links to related pages:
Benefits of Colour Breathing >
Who and Where Can Colour Breathing Help? >
The Colour Breathing Trials >
Book Foreword >
About Alison Bourne >