To investigate whether Holotropic Breathworkâ„¢ (HB; Grof Transpersonal Training, Mill Valley, CA) has any significance in the development of self-awareness.
A quasi-experiment design and multiple case studies. A single case design was replicated. The statistical design was a related within-subject and repeated-measures design (pre-during-post design).
The study was conducted in Denmark.
The participants (n?=?20) were referred from Danish HB facilitators. Nine were novices and 11 had experience with HB.
Four HB sessions.
The novices (n?=?9) underwent positive temperament changes and the experienced participants (n?=?11) underwent positive changes in character. Overall, positive self-awareness changes were indicated; the participants' (n?=?20) scores for persistence temperament, interpersonal problems, overly accommodating, intrusive/needy, and hostility were reduced. Changes in temperament were followed by changes in paranoid ideation scale, indicating a wary phase.
Participants (n?=?20) experienced reductions in their persistence temperament scores. The pretest mean (mean ± standard deviation, 114.15?±?16.884) decreased at post-test (110.40?±?16.481; pre-during-test p?=?0.046, pre-post-test p?=?0.048, pre-post-test effect size [d]?=?0.2). Temperament changes were followed by an increase in paranoid ideation; the pre-test mean (47.45?±?8.88) at post-test had increased to a higher but normal score (51.55?±?7.864; pre-during-test p?=?0.0215, pre-post-test p?=?0.021, pre-post-test d?=?0.5). Pre-test hostility mean (50.50?±?10.395) decreased at post-test (47.20?±?9.001; p?=?0.0185; d?=?0.3). The Inventory of Interpersonal Problems total pre-test mean (59.05?±?17.139) was decreased at post-test (54.8?±?12.408; p?=?0.044; d?=?0.2). Overly accommodating pre-test mean (56.00?±?12.303) was decreased at post-test (51.55?±?7.797; p?=?0.0085; d?=?0.4). The intrusive/needy pre-test score (57.25?±?13.329) was decreased at post-test (52.85?±?10.429; p?=?0.005; d?=?0.4).
The theoretical conclusion is that HB can induce very beneficial temperament changes, which can have positive effects on development of character, measured as an increase in self-awareness.