Narendar Samuthiram (Word Count excluding references: 2540)Colour in Health IntroductionBrief History of Colour

From using natural pigments for ritualistic cave paintings over 30,000 years ago to modern day therapy, colour has had an immense impact on humans. The therapeutic uses of colour have a rich history dating back to ancient times. Colour therapy, also known as chromo therapy, has been in use for a long time. In ancient Egypt, China and Greece "colour halls" or rooms were painted different colours in an attempt to treat ailments1. Colour therapy played an important role inmany country'smedical practices. One example are the Egyptians, wholooked at nature and copied the colours they observed - the green of the grass was used for floors1. The blue of the sky was often used and crystal gemswere hung in the windows of their "healing rooms." Sunlight would flow into the rooms through those crystals. The Greeks studied colour only as a science and ignored its possible healing properties and the knowledge was nearly lost later in history1. Fortunately, papyrus sheets have been found dating back to 1550 BC which have a list of colour "cures.1 " The "Nei/Ching," the Chinese book of internal medicine, dating back 2000 years, also records colour diagnosis by reading the colour of pulses, complexion, and the appearance of the bodys tissues and organs.1An Arabian, named Avicenna (980-1037), wrote about colour therapy in "The Canon of Medicine."2 Heassociated disease symptomswith colours anddeveloped a chart which showed what he thought was the relationship between colour and the physical condition (temperature)of the body.2Colour of Hospitals Heals?

Colour has been extensively researched into hospitals designs to promote healing. Evidence suggests that bland monotonous environments cause sensory deprivation and are detrimental to healing. White walls in hospitals have a clinical appearance that is unfamiliar and strange to most people i.e. the absence of colour is eerie. The combination of white walls, ceilings, and floors create strange perceptual conditions. Thus, colour can be a potential item in psychological treatment of patients. Careful chosen colours not only can promote serenity of mind and restfulness but also contributes to patients outcome such as shorter length of stay, reduced stress, increased patients satisfaction. Roger Ulrich has investigated the effects of visual stimulation and how it impacts patient recuperation rates and found that patients surrounded in vibrant surroundings recovered three-quarters of a day faster, and needed fewer pain killers, than those who did not.3 Additional studies have confirmed that even brief encounters with colour of nature significantly reduce stress levelswhether or not the nature interaction is real or simulated.4 While science may not yet explain the extent to which specific colours impact individuals, or how specific colours may be implemented to achieve universal results, many psychiatrists and psychologists studying the subject agree that colour has the effect of directing an individuals attention outward, providing a diversion that can relieve the stress of internal mental tensions.4 Colours previously considered too bright for health care settings, such as vibrant golds, citrus greens, crimsons, and Caribbean blues, are now thought to be vital therapeutic tools that directly promote healing and reduce anxiety especially in waiting rooms, patient rooms and examination rooms.4The Colour of Medications

Until the middle of the 1900s all prescribed medications that were in pill form were uniformly white and round. Over-the-counter drugs were also white or pastel in colour. However, all that began to change in the 1960s when colours were introduced for the first time. Today there are over 80,000 different tint combinations available to the pharmaceutical market. But does it really matter how they colour your capsules, tablets or pills? The answer seems to be a resounding yes and for many reasons.

Researchers have discovered that humans respond differently to different colours and this psychology has its place even in the world of pharmaceuticals. From a medical perspective, anything that will positively reinforce taking necessary medications is crucially important in recovery. Since physical health and emotional health are so closely linked, the patient who believes a particularly pleasant-looking pill will achieve the results that it conjures up in his/her mind is much more apt to take the medication faithfully and receive greater benefits from it.5 This placebo effect has been shown to positively enhance speed and totality of recovery. A very recent study found that differences in the colour of prescribed medication affect whether a patient will stop taking a drug.6 Scientists reported that patients who take generic drugs that differ in colour are fifty percent are more likely to stop the intake of the drug, producing possible negative reactions.6

When the colour of the pill mentally matches the intended results greater benefits are enjoyed. For example, a mild blue pill like Celebrex is calmingthe perfect way to handle the frustration of pain. Blue is also masculine and has successfully worked in the marketing of Viagra, a male sexual enhancement product. Elderly people have a decided preference for red and the colour reminds them to take their heart medication. Children consider pink to be a sweet colour and medications for little ones are often dressed in this colour. The studies on perceived action of coloured drugs showed that red, yellow and orange are associated with a stimulant effect, while green is related to a tranquilising effect.5Colour a Potential Life-Saver?

It may come as a big surprise, but there is a good reason to be afraid of needles. Every year, 1.3 million deaths are caused by unsafe injections, due to the reuse of syringes. TheWorld Health Organisation(WHO) estimates that up to 40% of the 40bn injections administered annually are delivered with syringes that have been reused without sterilisation, causing over 30% of hepatitis B and C cases and 5% of HIV cases statistics that have put the problem at number five on the WHO priority list.7 It is impossible to determine a visual difference between a used syringe that has been washed and a sterile syringe removed from its packaging. To overcome this issue, Dr David Swann, reader in design at the University of Huddersfield, into action, to develop what he describes as a "behaviour-changing syringe" that would warn patients when the needle was unsafe.8 The principle behind this technology is simple, a colour change that would explicitly expose the risk and could indicate prior use without doubt. Once opened and exposed to the air, the syringe has a 60-second treatment window before turning bright red. Same principle is also now further explored for implementation in medicine packaging. Ink technology would be utilised for evoking danger signs when medicine expires and no longer safe for human consumption.Art Work: Colour Psychology

Coloursare very important in our lives as they directly influence our well-being and moodBelow are my perceptions towards colours which I have gathered throughout my life experience, culture backgrounds, readings, random interviews, and simply by daily-life observations:Black

Black is the colour of authority and power. It is popular in fashion because it makes people appear thinner. It is also stylish and timeless. Black also implies submission. Priests wear black to signify submission to God. Some fashion experts say a woman wearing black implies submission to men. Black outfits can also be overpowering, or make the wearer seem aloof or evil. Apparently, black jackets seems very popular among Bristol people.White

Brides wear white to symbolize innocence and purity. White reflects light and is considered a summer colour. White is popular in decorating and in fashion because it is light, neutral, and goes with everything. However, white shows dirt and is therefore more difficult to keep clean than other colours. Doctors and nurses wear white to imply sterility.RedThe most emotionally intense colour, red stimulates a faster heartbeat and breathing. It is also the colour of love. Red clothing gets noticed and makes the wearer appear heavier. Since it is an extreme colour, red clothing might not help people in negotiations or confrontations. Red cars are popular targets for thieves. Decorators say that red furniture should be perfect since it will attract attention. The most romantic colour, pink, is more tranquilizing. Sports teams sometimes paint the locker rooms used by opposing teams bright pink so their opponents will lose energy.

Blue

The colour of the sky and the ocean, blue is one of the most popular colours. It causes the opposite reaction as red. Peaceful, tranquil blue causes the body to produce calming chemicals, so it is often used in bedrooms. Blue can also be cold and depressing. Fashion consultants recommend wearing blue to job interviews because it symbolizes loyalty. People are more productive in blue rooms. Studies show weightlifters are able to handle heavier weights in blue gyms.

Green

Currently the most popular decorating colour, green symbolizes nature. It is the easiest colour on the eye and can improve vision. It is a calming, refreshing colour. People waiting to appear on TV sit in "green rooms" to relax. Hospitals often use green because it relaxes patients. Brides in the middle ages wore green to symbolize fertility. Dark green is masculine, conservative, and implies wealth.

Yellow

Cheerful sunny yellow is an attention getter. While it is considered an optimistic colour, people lose their tempers more often in yellow rooms, and babies will cry more. It is the most difficult colour for the eye to take in, so it can be overpowering if overused. Yellow enhances concentration, hence its use for legal pads. It also speeds metabolism.

Purple

The colour of royalty, purple connotes luxury, wealth, and sophistication. It is also feminine and romantic. However, because it is rare in nature, purple can appear artificial.

Brown

Solid, reliable brown is the colour of earth and is abundant in nature. Light brown implies genuineness while dark brown is similar to wood or leather. Brown can also be sad and wistful. Men are more apt to say brown is one of their favourite colours.

ConclusionIntegrative medicine - Colour is literally the 'wavelength' medicine of the future. It calls to us and asks us to recognize its value as an alternative medicine that the environment can provide. Reviewing at how the ancient civilisation exploited colour for evoking health and well-being should not be taken for granted but should be further explored with open and critical mind. Currently colour therapy like chromotheraphy are being researched thoroughly for potential therapeutic effects alongside Orthodox Western medicine. Chromotheraphy is a holistic healing modality that incorporates different colours in an attempt to positively alter our emotions, moods and overall wellbeing. It incorporates certain tools and/or visualization techniques and suggestions to apply colour to our bodies in an attempt to heal those parts of our bodies suffering under physical, emotional, or spiritual strain. Personally I think this extensive research on using colour therapy in an integrative way (using all appropriate therapeutic approaches) can hold a promising key in filling in the gaps in conventional medicine. Placebo effect? Colour is functional. Colour subliminally and overtly communicates information and provides many other operational benefits. For example, colour and shape of tablets act as a memory tag for compliance. Besides that, colour of a tablet influences patient choice. Colour are also likened to taste .Pink tablets as tasting sweeter than red tablets whereas a yellow tablet is perceived as salty irrespective of its actual ingredients. Interestingly, these concepts might hold a clue as to why certain drugs works better than other despite containing similar ingredients. Choose an appropriate colour and the placebo effect gives the pill a boost, improves outcomes and might even reduce side effects.Colour now seems to be integral component of an over-the-counter (OTC) product given that compliance in taking medication strongly depends on the patient's perception of that medication. While most attention is given to OTC drugs, I am not hugely surprised that pharmaceutical companies spend enormous amounts of money on the most attractive and appealing dressing for each new product brought to the market. Creating a Resilient System- Colour-changing technology is increasingly finding medical applications, as designers look to transfer innovations in reactive ink towards potentially lifesaving ends. Both the behaviour-changing syringe and self-expiring packaging could have far-reaching impacts on global treatment, suggesting a world in which no one has to guess if their medicine is safe to use. Medical prescription drug errors by doctors, pharmacists and patients account for as many as a million deaths a year with as many as 30% of these unnecessary fatalities attributed to misidentifying proper drugs and dosages. For this reason, healthcare workers appreciate distinctly coloured, shaped and labelled medicines. These efforts could not only potentially save millions of lives but also reduce global medical cost. Early intervention as such on global level within the system would certainly enable patients to break harmful feedback loops which threaten their natural capacity for self-healing.Mind-Body Medicine? A healthy mind is a healthy body because energizing the mind has direct effects on the body. Colours are not just tools for treatment but when made to work hand in hand in healthcare environments, they initiate healing mechanisms and would surely promote good health in the very near future. Proper colour palette in the health care environment can reduce stress on patients and that stress is an important hindrance to recovery. It is remarkable to acknowledge how patient stress level can be reduced with a simple coat of paint. Health care settings which lack these colour design elements will not meet a patients psychological needs, and may lead to increased patient anxiety, elevated blood pressure levels, and an increased need for pain-relieving drugs. Conversely, therapeutic environments that foster a sense of control, provide greater privacy and access to nature along with positive distractions, can induce greater relaxation, which in turn can lead to reduced medication needs, reduced blood pressure, and a shorter length of stay.ReflectionThe idea of exploring colours was inspired by Holi, a colour festival. I became curious and asked myself Howwould the world be without colours? I began reading more about colours and decided to base my assignment on this topic. I have chosen to produce an artwork using various colours and described about the functionality of each as perceived by society. The entire quest to search for colour meanings has been very exciting and allowed me to see the world from different perspective. It is very mind boggling to acknowledge that there is so much behind something that we commonly take for granted such as colour. I became more appreciative towards colours and figured out ways of benefiting it. I started to use colours to light up my study space and develop better study techniques using colours. I am more confident of expressing my emotions through painting too; in fact thinking of doing more artwork as a hobby. In general, this assignment has helped me to outline my strengths and weaknesses. Having English as my fourth language and inability to grasp the concept of WPC at beginning stages were certainly challenging but I acknowledge them as building block for progress. Reading from multiple resources as well as linking up my personal activity with my lived experiences were something I never imagined of doing before, yet they brought a new dimension in my learning and cognitive process. Reference1. Valerie Logan-Clarke: Colour Therapy Healing. [Online].Available from: http://www.colourtherapyhealing.com/colour/colour_history.php [Accessed 26th February 2014]2. Azeemi, Y; Raza SM (2005)."A Critical Analysis of Chromotherapy and Its Scientific Evolution".Evidence-Based Complementary Alternative Medicine2(4): 481488.3. Ulrich, Roger, Ph.D., et al. The Role of the Physical Environment in the Hospital of the 21st Century: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity. Sept. 2004. Report to The Center for Health Design for the Designing the 21st Century Hospital Project. 4. Baughan-Young, Kim. Healing Power of Color as Cheap as Coat of Paint. Managed Care Magazine Nov. 2001. 5. Gremillion Consulting: The Color of That Little Pill Does Make a Difference [Online].Available from:http://www.colorcombos.com/the-color-of-that-little-pill-does-make-a-difference-article.html [Accessed 5th March 2014]6. Kesselheim AS, Misono AS, Shrank WH, et al.Variations in Pill Appearance of Antiepileptic Drugs and the Risk of Nonadherence.Archives of Internal Medicine, 2012; DOI:10.1001/2013.jamainternmed.997

7. Oliver Wainwright: How colour-changing technology could revolutionise the medical industry [Online].Available from: http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/architecture-design-blog/2013/aug/28/colour-changing-syringe-medical-design [Accessed 11th March 2014]

8. Icsid Secretariat: ABC Syringe [Online].Available from: http://worlddesignimpact.org/projects/project2013/2/ [Accessed 13th March 2014]