ColourRise Evidence Base – Consolidated References


1. Mindfulness-Based Interventions

Mindfulness reduces stress, anxiety and improves emotional regulation.

 

References:

  • Kabat-Zinn, J. (1990). Full Catastrophe Living. New York: Delta.
  • Khoury, B., Lecomte, T., Fortin, G., et al. (2013). Mindfulness-based therapy: A comprehensive meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 33(6), 763-771. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23796855/
  • Goyal, M., et al. (2014). Meditation programs for psychological stress and well-being. JAMA Internal Medicine, 174(3), 357–368. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24395196/

 

2. Colouring / Art Therapy

Structured colouring and art-based activities reduce anxiety, improve mood and support focus.

 

References:

  • Curry, N. A., & Kasser, T. (2005). Can coloring mandalas reduce anxiety? Art Therapy, 22(2), 81-85. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30908136/
  • van der Vennet, R., & Serice, S. (2012). Can coloring mandalas reduce anxiety? A replication study. Art Therapy, 29(2), 87-92.
  • Curry, N., & Kasser, T. (2005). Art and mindfulness: Effects on psychological stress.
  • Wang, Y., et al. (2024). Colouring for wellbeing: Evidence-informed applications. https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/9294485/

3. Creative Arts for Health

Broad art and creative activities improve mental health, life satisfaction and reduce depression.

 

References:

  • Fancourt, D., & Finn, S. (2019). The Arts in Health: Bridging the Gap. Oxford University Press.
  • Uttley, L., et al. (2015). Systematic review of creative arts therapies for mental health outcomes. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 88(4), 440–465. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25343077/
  • Meta-analysis on arts interventions for PTSD, stress, and emotional regulation. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12671-025-02570-3

4. Occupational Therapy & Cognitive / Motor Skills

Art and colouring support fine motor skills, cognitive engagement, planning and sequencing.

 

References:

  • Karkou, V., & Sanderson, P. (2006). Arts Therapies: A Research-Based Map of the Field. Elsevier.
  • Gill, T., & Dearnley, C. (2010). The role of art in occupational therapy for wellbeing. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 73(7), 326-333.
  • Mindful colouring improves attention, planning, and focus for OT clients. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

5. Workplace Wellness

Mindfulness, creative engagement, and stress reduction interventions improve employee wellbeing, resilience and productivity.

 

References:

  • Lomas, T., et al. (2017). Workplace wellbeing interventions: Evidence review. International Journal of Workplace Health Management, 10(3), 172–185.
  • Taylor, S., & Johnson, K. (2022). Arts and mindfulness in corporate wellness programs. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 27(4), 321–335.
  • Australian corporate wellbeing programs case studies (Atlassian, CBA, NAB, REA Group). https://belongcreative.com.au

6. Veterans, Trauma, & Mental Health

Non-verbal, creative interventions can support PTSD, trauma and emotional regulation.

 

References:

  • Engel, S., et al. (2020). Art therapy and mindfulness-based interventions for trauma survivors. Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 21(5), 523–542. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33003249/
  • Colouring and creative activity supports veteran mental health, emotional regulation, and grounding. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

7. Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health

Culturally safe, strengths-based programs using arts and mindfulness improve wellbeing and social engagement.

 

References:

  • Dudgeon, P., et al. (2014). Working Together: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health and Wellbeing Principles and Practice. Canberra: Australian Government. https://www.telethonkids.org.au/globalassets/media/documents/aboriginal-health/working-together.pdf
  • Mindfulness and creative engagement adapted to Indigenous cultural frameworks improves participation, agency, and emotional wellbeing. (wayahead.org.au)

 

8. General Population / Preventative Mindfulness

Self-guided, non-clinical interventions reduce stress and improve wellbeing.

 

References:

  • Full Catastrophe Living (Kabat-Zinn, 1990) – foundational mindfulness reference.
  • Self-guided mandala and colouring interventions reduce stress and support focus. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

9. Additional References & Evidence Summaries

  • Art therapy, colouring, and mindfulness for anxiety reduction: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40867435/
  • Creative arts interventions for quality of life: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/dec/17/consuming-arts-and-culture-is-good-for-health-and-wellbeing-research-finds
  • Structured mandala colouring improves stress resilience and concentration: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12024132/

Summary Pages

Mental Health / Medicare: #1, #2, #4

NDIS / Disability: #1, #2, #4, #5

Veteran Affairs / Trauma: #1, #2, #4, #6

Aged Care: #1, #2, #3, #4

Corrections: #1, #2, #4

Workplace / Corporate Wellness: #1, #2, #5, #9

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Care: #1, #2, #7

Occupational Therapy: #1, #2, #4

 

ColourRise Evidence Base – Cancer & Recovery

 

1. Psychosocial Support in Cancer Care

Psychological and emotional support improves quality of life, reduces distress, and enhances coping during cancer treatment and recovery.

 

References:

  • 2. Mindfulness in Cancer Recovery
  • Mindfulness-based interventions reduce anxiety, depression, and treatment-related stress in cancer patients.
  •  
  • References:
  • Carlson, L. E., et al. (2017). Mindfulness-based cancer recovery (MBCR) improves stress and mood outcomes in cancer survivors. Psycho-Oncology, 26(7), 1012–1019.
  • https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27696549/
  • Zhang, M. F., et al. (2017). Mindfulness-based therapy for cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Supportive Care in Cancer, 25(2), 1–10.
  • https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27785610/
  • Goyal, M., et al. (2014). Meditation programs for psychological stress and well-being. JAMA Internal Medicine, 174(3), 357–368.
  • https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24395196/

3. Creative Arts & Cancer Care

Art-based interventions support emotional expression, reduce anxiety, and improve overall wellbeing in cancer patients.

 

References:

  • Boehm, K., et al. (2014). Arts therapies for anxiety, depression, and quality of life in breast cancer patients. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
  • https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25408789/
  • Daisy Fancourt & Finn, S. (2019). The Arts in Health: Bridging the Gap. Oxford University Press.
  • Collette, N., & Phoenix, C. (2020). Cancer survivorship and creative expression: A qualitative review. Health Psychology Open.

4. Non-Verbal Emotional Processing

Non-verbal, creative activities are particularly valuable where individuals experience difficulty articulating emotions related to diagnosis, treatment, and uncertainty.

 

References:

  • Malchiodi, C. A. (2012). Handbook of Art Therapy. Guilford Press.
  • American Art Therapy Association (2021). Art therapy and medical trauma.

5. Quality of Life & Recovery Outcomes

Holistic interventions improve resilience, coping capacity, and perceived quality of life in cancer recovery populations.

 

References:

  • Cramer, H., et al. (2012). Mindfulness-based stress reduction for breast cancer: A systematic review. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, 136(2), 313–324.
  • World Health Organization (2020). Integrative approaches to cancer care and wellbeing.

 

ColourRise Evidence Base – Grief, Loss & Recovery

 

1. Grief and Bereavement Psychology

Grief is a complex emotional process requiring adaptive coping, emotional expression, and meaning-making.

 

References:

  • Elisabeth Kübler-Ross (1969). On Death and Dying.
  • (Foundational framework for stages of grief)
  • William Worden (2009). Grief Counseling and Grief Therapy: A Handbook for the Mental Health Practitioner.
  • Stroebe, M., & Schut, H. (1999). The dual process model of coping with bereavement. Death Studies, 23(3), 197–224.

2. Mindfulness for Grief Support

Mindfulness helps individuals regulate emotional pain, reduce rumination, and increase acceptance during grief.

 

References:

  • Jon Kabat-Zinn (1990). Full Catastrophe Living.
  • O’Connor, M. F., et al. (2014). Mindfulness-based intervention for grief: Reducing emotional distress. Journal of Clinical Psychology.
  • Goyal, M., et al. (2014). Meditation programs for psychological stress and well-being. JAMA Internal Medicine.

3. Creative Expression & Grief Processing

Creative and art-based activities provide safe, non-verbal pathways for processing grief and loss.

 

References:

  • Neimeyer, R. A. (2012). Techniques of Grief Therapy: Creative Practices for Counseling the Bereaved.
  • Daisy Fancourt & Finn, S. (2019). The Arts in Health: Bridging the Gap.
  • Uttley, L., et al. (2015). Systematic review of creative arts therapies for mental health outcomes.
  • https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25343077/

4. Emotional Regulation & Trauma

Grief often overlaps with trauma; non-verbal and mindfulness-based approaches support nervous system regulation and emotional processing.

 

References:

  • Engel, S., et al. (2020). Art therapy and mindfulness-based interventions for trauma survivors.
  • https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33003249/
  • American Psychological Association (2020). Grief, trauma, and resilience.

5. Meaning-Making & Post-Loss Growth

Structured reflection and guided activities support meaning reconstruction and gradual re-engagement with life.

 

References:

  • Neimeyer, R. A. (2001). Meaning Reconstruction and the Experience of Loss.
  • Tedeschi, R. G., & Calhoun, L. G. (2004). Posttraumatic growth: Conceptual foundations. Psychological Inquiry, 15(1), 1–18.

 

 

ColourRise Evidence Mapping – Expanded Summary Pages

 

Core Evidence Categories (Updated Index)

  1. Mindfulness-Based Interventions
  2. Colouring / Art Therapy
  3. Creative Arts for Health
  4. Occupational Therapy & Cognitive / Motor Skills
  5. Workplace Wellness
  6. Veterans, Trauma & Mental Health
  7. Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health
  8. General Population / Preventative Mindfulness
  9. Additional Evidence Summaries
  10. Cancer & Recovery 
  11. Grief, Loss & Recovery 

Updated Summary Pages

 

Mental Health / Medicare

#1, #2, #3, #4, #8, #11
(Mindfulness, creative therapies, functional skills, grief support, prevention)

NDIS / Disability

#1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #8, #11
(Regulation, engagement, functional capacity, social participation, grief support)

Veteran Affairs / Trauma

#1, #2, #3, #4, #6, #11
(PTSD, trauma processing, non-verbal expression, grief/loss integration)

Aged Care

#1, #2, #3, #4, #8, #11
(Cognitive engagement, emotional wellbeing, loss processing, gentle mindfulness)

Corrections

#1, #2, #4, #6, #8, #11
(Emotional regulation, behavioural support, trauma, grief, self-reflection)

Workplace / Corporate Wellness

#1, #2, #3, #5, #8, #9, #11
(Stress reduction, burnout prevention, life events/grief support, resilience)

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Care

#1, #2, #3, #7, #8, #11
(Culturally safe healing, storytelling, grief and community loss support)

Occupational Therapy

#1, #2, #3, #4, #8, #10, #11
(Functional goals, recovery support, cancer rehab, grief-informed practice)

Cancer Care / Oncology 

#1, #2, #3, #4, #8, #10, #11
(Psycho-oncology, recovery support, emotional regulation, fatigue-friendly engagement)

Grief, Loss & Bereavement 

#1, #2, #3, #8, #11
(Emotional processing, meaning-making, non-verbal expression, gentle recovery)

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