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/
  • Stapleton, P. (2019)
    The Science Behind Tapping: A Proven Stress Management Technique for the Mind and Body.
  • Pidgeon & Pickett (2017): Demonstrates that cultivating mindfulness directly reduces psychological distress and enhances coping strategies. 
  • Pidgeon & Cooper (2014): Establishes that mindfulness meditation serves as a major predictor of higher psychological well-being. 
  • Pidgeon, Lacota & Champion (2013): Proves that mindfulness training moderates emotional distress and maladaptive eating habits. 

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/
  • Eaton & Tieber (2017): Validates that mindful colouring of complex geometric patterns (like mandalas) significantly drops situational anxiety compared to free-form drawing.
  • Curry & Kasser (2005): Canonical study proving that structured colouring pages induce a meditative state, directly reducing stress.
  • Van der Vennet & Serice (2012): Replicated art therapy trials confirming structured coloring reduces anxiety more effectively than unstructured doodling.

3. Creative Arts for Health

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

 

References:

  • Fancourt, D., & Finn, S. (2019). Landmark World Health Organisation (WHO) report synthesizing evidence on how arts improve physical and mental health. 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
  • Stickley et al. (2017): Multi-study analysis proving creative art workshops improve community social connectedness and self-esteem.
  • Clift & Camic (2016): Oxford research confirming art-based practices lower cortisol levels and combat public health isolation.

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)
  • Pidgeon et al. (Longdom): Connects mindfulness practice with improved cognitive resilience and neuro-regulatory functions. 
  • Gura (2010): Examines how occupational therapists successfully utilize mindfulness to restore focus and fine motor skills in rehabilitation.
  • AOTA (2020): American Occupational Therapy Association guidelines detailing mindfulness as an official preparatory task for sensory-motor integration. 

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
  • Wolever et al. (2012): Randomized controlled trial proving corporate mindfulness interventions reduce perceived stress and improve work focus.
  • Hülsheger et al. (2013): Focuses on how daily mindfulness practices protect workers against emotional exhaustion and job dissatisfaction.
  • Stapleton et al.: Research examining EFT and stress management across workplace and general adult populations.
  • Pidgeon & Keye (2014): Evaluates how mindfulness-awareness programs built into organizational routines decrease burnout.

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)
  • Stapleton, P., Kip, K., Church, D., Toussaint, L., Footman, J., Ballantyne, P., & O'Keefe, T. (2023).
    Emotional Freedom Techniques for Treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
    Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1195286.
  • Dr Aileen Pidgeon Practice Data: Clinical framework focusing on trauma-informed care to give individuals control over chronic stress, childhood adversity, and trauma.
  • Kearney et al. (2013): Demonstrates that Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) yields lasting reductions in PTSD symptoms for military veterans.
  • King et al. (2013): Proves mindfulness deployment alters combat-related trauma pathways and reduces avoidant behaviors.

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)
  • Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW): Documents that culturally grounded, creative social-emotional wellbeing (SEWB) programs improve indigenous health outcomes.
  • Gee et al. (2014): Introduces the Aboriginal-led SEWB framework, showing art and community connection act as vital mental health protective factors.
  • Dingwall & Cairney (2010): Highlights the necessity of using non-verbal, creative tools like art therapy during psychological assessments in Indigenous communities.

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)
  • Pidgeon (2014/2026): Shows that high baseline dispositional mindfulness protects the public against body image dissatisfaction, shame, and everyday anxiety. 
  • Creswell et al. (2007): Brain imaging study showing mindfulness lowers amygdala activation (the fear center) during stressful daily prompts. 
  • Khoury et al. (2013): Comprehensive meta-analysis of 12,000+ people proving mindfulness is highly effective for altering distress across the general public.

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/
  • Mindfulness Awareness Resilience Skills Training (MARST): Dr Pidgeon’s evidence-based curriculum proving structured mindfulness training improves cognitive resilience. (Source) 
  • University of Cambridge Data (2021): Meta-analysis tracking 12,000 global participants confirming community-delivered mindfulness regularly boosts population mental health. 

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)

Academic Correlation Strength by ColourRise Category

ColourRise Category Most Relevant Academic
#1 Mindfulness-Based Interventions Hassed, Kuyken, Baer, Brewer, Loucks
#2 Colouring / Art Therapy Curry, Kasser, van der Vennet
#3 Creative Arts for Health Evans, Fancourt
#4 Occupational Therapy & Cognitive Skills Primarily OT literature 
#5 Workplace Wellness Hassed, Anglim, Loucks
#6 Veterans, Trauma & Mental Health Brewer, Evans
#7 Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health Dudgeon and Indigenous health researchers
#8 General Population / Preventative Mindfulness Hassed, Kuyken, Baer, Loucks
#9 Psychosocial Support in Cancer Care Evans, Mikocka-Walus
#10 Mindfulness in Cancer Recovery Mikocka-Walus, Evans, Hassed
#11 Creative Arts & Cancer Care Fancourt and arts-in-health researchers
#12 Non-Verbal Emotional Processing Brewer, Malchiodi
#13 Quality of Life & Recovery Outcomes Mikocka-Walus, Loucks, Anglim
#14 Grief & Bereavement Psychology Worden, Kübler-Ross, Neimeyer
#15 Mindfulness for Grief Support Hassed, Kuyken, Brewer
#16 Creative Expression & Grief Processing Neimeyer, Fancourt
#17 Emotional Regulation & Trauma Brewer, Evans
#18 Meaning-Making & Post-Loss Growth Kuyken, Neimeyer

ColourRise Academic Evidence Mapping

Professor Craig Hassed (Monash)

✅ #1 Mindfulness-Based Interventions

✅ #5 Workplace Wellness

✅ #8 General Population / Preventative Mindfulness

✅ #10 Mindfulness in Cancer Recovery

✅ #15 Mindfulness for Grief Support

Published Areas

  • Mindfulness in healthcare education
  • Stress reduction
  • Resilience
  • Burnout prevention
  • Emotional regulation
  • Lifestyle medicine

ColourRise Evidence Statement

Hassed's work supports ColourRise's use of structured mindfulness practices to improve emotional regulation, resilience, stress reduction and preventative wellbeing across healthcare, workplace, educational and community settings.

2. Associate Professor Subhadra Evans (Deakin)

✅ #1 Mindfulness-Based Interventions

✅ #3 Creative Arts for Health

✅ #5 Veterans, Trauma & Mental Health

✅ #9 Psychosocial Support in Cancer Care

✅ #10 Mindfulness in Cancer Recovery

Published Areas

  • Mind-body medicine
  • Integrative health
  • Self-compassion
  • Wellbeing interventions
  • Cancer survivorship
  • Trauma-informed care

ColourRise Evidence Statement

Evans' work supports low-intensity mind-body intervention capable of supporting psychological wellbeing, resilience and emotional adjustment during health challenges and recovery.

Professor Antonina Mikocka-Walus (Deakin)

✅ #1 Mindfulness-Based Interventions

✅ #9 Psychosocial Support in Cancer Care

✅ #10 Mindfulness in Cancer Recovery

✅ #13 Quality of Life & Recovery Outcomes

Published Areas

  • Psycho-oncology
  • Behavioural medicine
  • Mindfulness
  • Chronic illness adjustment
  • Quality of life research

ColourRise Evidence Statement

Mikocka-Walus' research demonstrates how mindfulness-based approaches improve resilience, coping capacity and quality of life among individuals experiencing significant health challenges.

Associate Professor Jeromy Anglim (Deakin)

✅ #5 Workplace Wellness

✅ #8 General Population / Preventative Mindfulness

✅ #13 Quality of Life & Recovery Outcomes

Published Areas

  • Wellbeing measurement
  • Flourishing
  • Psychological wellbeing
  • Workplace wellbeing
  • Psychometrics

ColourRise Evidence Statement

Anglim's research supports the measurement of wellbeing outcomes and provides theoretical foundations for evaluating flourishing, resilience and life satisfaction within programs.

Professor Willem Kuyken (Oxford)

✅ #1 Mindfulness-Based Interventions

✅ #5 Workplace Wellness

✅ #8 General Population / Preventative Mindfulness

✅ #10 Mindfulness in Cancer Recovery

✅ #15 Mindfulness for Grief Support

✅ #18 Meaning-Making & Post-Loss Growth

Published Areas

  • Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
  • Flourishing
  • Psychological resilience
  • Compassion
  • Emotional wellbeing

ColourRise Evidence Statement

Kuyken's work provides a major evidence base supporting mindfulness as a practical intervention for emotional wellbeing, resilience, acceptance and psychological flourishing.

Professor Ruth Baer (Oxford)

✅ #1 Mindfulness-Based Interventions

✅ #8 General Population / Preventative Mindfulness

Published Areas

  • Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire
  • Mindfulness measurement
  • Emotional awareness
  • Acceptance

ColourRise Evidence Statement

Baer's research underpins the measurement and evaluation of mindfulness outcomes and provides a framework for validating wellbeing improvements observed through participation.

Professor Eric Loucks (Brown)

✅ #1 Mindfulness-Based Interventions

✅ #5 Workplace Wellness

✅ #8 General Population / Preventative Mindfulness

✅ #13 Quality of Life & Recovery Outcomes

Published Areas

  • Mindfulness and health behaviour
  • Preventative health
  • Community wellbeing
  • Lifestyle interventions

ColourRise Evidence Statement

Loucks' research supports the application of accessible mindfulness interventions that promote self-regulation, wellbeing and long-term health behaviour change.

Professor Judson Brewer (Brown)

✅ #1 Mindfulness-Based Interventions

✅ #5 Veterans, Trauma & Mental Health

✅ #12 Non-Verbal Emotional Processing

✅ #15 Mindfulness for Grief Support

✅ #17 Emotional Regulation & Trauma

Published Areas

  • Anxiety
  • Habit loops
  • Emotional regulation
  • Trauma recovery
  • Mindfulness neuroscience

ColourRise Evidence Statement

Brewer's work supports the use of repetitive mindful engagement and present-moment awareness as mechanisms for reducing anxiety, interrupting rumination and supporting emotional regulation.

 

 
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