diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 6bcbfc4..14d93a5 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -69,7 +69,13 @@ or after the last one
 `triggers`: [Optional] A list or single key that needs to be pressed to start the session after the experimenter has manually
 started it. This is useful when there's an external devices that needs to synchronize execution, such as an MRI scanner.
 If the parameter is missing, the session will start as soon as the experimenter clicks on start  
-`colours`: [Optional] A hex colour code (without '#') to use for the `leftReference`, `leftForce`, `rightReference` or `rightForce` bars  
+`colours`: [Optional] A hex colour code (without '#') to use for the `leftReference`, `leftForce`, `rightReference` or `rightForce` bars
+```
+  colours: # optional
+    leftReference: 0000FF #blue
+    leftForce: FEFE00 #yellow
+```
+
 `blocks`: The list of blocks in the sessions  
 `blocks.name`: A friendly name of a particular block. Seen only by the experimenter  
 `blocks.instructions`: A string giving the instructions to the participant of the block that is about to start  
diff --git a/pom.xml b/pom.xml
index adab1e2..1226438 100644
--- a/pom.xml
+++ b/pom.xml
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 
     <groupId>com.github.neuralabc.spft</groupId>
     <artifactId>spft</artifactId>
-    <version>1.4-SNAPSHOT</version>
+    <version>1.5-SNAPSHOT</version>
     <name>Sequence Pinch Force Task</name>
     <description>A Java implementation of a Sequence Pinch Force task, with ability to trigger to external serial device</description>
 
diff --git a/src/main/java/com/github/neuralabc/spft/task/Block.java b/src/main/java/com/github/neuralabc/spft/task/Block.java
index 6fb9766..d497d32 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/github/neuralabc/spft/task/Block.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/github/neuralabc/spft/task/Block.java
@@ -31,12 +31,19 @@ public Block(BlockConfig config, Map<String, SequenceConfig> sequencesPool, Trig
     public void run(ExperimentFrame.Binding binding, Path outputFile) throws InterruptedException, IOException {
         LOG.info("\tStarting block '{}'", config.getName());
 
+        // set the position of the bars back to 0 (which will be equivalent to min height)
+        // at the start of every block to ensure that the participant does not move
+        // to the last position of the previous trial (and b/c this is set to 1 on the 1st block)
+        binding.setLeftReferenceValue(0.0); // testing
+        binding.setRightReferenceValue(0.0); // testing
+        
         binding.showLeftBars(trials.get(0).hasLeftSequence());
         binding.showRightBars(trials.get(0).hasRightSequence());
+
         binding.showText(config.getInstructions());
+        
         Thread.sleep(config.getInstructionsDuration());
         binding.showText("");
-
         for (int currentTrial = 0; currentTrial < config.getTrials().size(); currentTrial++) {
             Trial nextTrial = trials.get(currentTrial);
 
diff --git a/src/main/java/com/github/neuralabc/spft/task/Trial.java b/src/main/java/com/github/neuralabc/spft/task/Trial.java
index 9b8bb12..87b5805 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/github/neuralabc/spft/task/Trial.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/github/neuralabc/spft/task/Trial.java
@@ -66,6 +66,12 @@ public void run(ExperimentFrame.Binding binding, Path outputFile) throws Interru
         
         timer.stop();
         writeOutput(outputFile);
+
+        // at the end of every trial we also reset the reference values to the min value
+        // to indicate the trial has ended and ensure that the participant does not move
+        // to the last position of the previous trial
+        binding.setLeftReferenceValue(0.0);
+        binding.setRightReferenceValue(0.0);
     }
 
     private void writeOutput(Path outputFile) throws IOException {