title: Measure of Significance of Holotropic Breathwork in the Development of Self-Awareness.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate whether Holotropic Breathwork™ (HB; Grof Transpersonal Training, Mill Valley, CA) has any significance in the development of self-awareness.
  
  
  METHODS
  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).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted in Denmark.
  
  
  METHODS
  The participants (n = 20) were referred from Danish HB facilitators. Nine were novices and 11 had experience with HB.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four HB sessions.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  RESULTS
  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).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: 1 Aalborg University , Aalborg, Denmark .
authors.forename: Tanja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.affiliation: 2 Psykolog Praksis , Snedsted, Denmark .
authors.forename: Laila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nielsen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001364:Awareness; D001945:Breathing Exercises / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D003071:Cognition; D003718:Denmark; D005260:Female; D006694:Holistic Health; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012064:Relaxation Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013694:Temperament