Qualitative thematic analysis of the phenomenology of near-death experiences

Cassol, Héléna; Pétré, Benoît; Degrange, Sophie; Martial, Charlotte; Charland‐Verville, Vanessa; Lallier, François H.; Bragard, Isabelle; Guillaume, Michèle; Laureys, Steven

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0193001

Cited by 84 publications

(85 citation statements)

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“…We found a prevalence of 10% using the same criteria in our previous crowdsourcing online survey on NDE and REM intrusion (Kondziella, Dreier & Olsen, 2019), indicating that this prevalence is quite robust. Unlike most previous reports in which NDE were almost always associated with peace and well-being (Thonnard et al, 2013; Charland-Verville et al, 2015; Martial et al, 2017, 2018; Cassol et al, 2018), we confirmed our earlier findings that many people find their NDE unpleasant (Kondziella, Dreier & Olsen, 2019). However, experiences with the cut-off score of ≥7 GNDES points were reported significantly more often as pleasant (49%) than experiences with a lower score (13%).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Migraine aura, a predictor of near-death experiences in a crowdsourced study

Kondziella

Olsen

Lemâle

et al. 2019

Preprint

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32Background: Near-death experiences (NDE) occur with imminent death and in situations of 33 stress and danger but are poorly understood. Evidence suggests that NDE are associated with 34 rapid eye movement (REM) sleep intrusion, a feature of narcolepsy. Previous studies further 35 found REM abnormalities and an increased frequency of dream-enacting behavior in migraine 36 patients, as well as an association between migraine with aura and narcolepsy. We therefore 37 investigated if NDE are more common in people with migraine aura. 38 Methods: We recruited 1037 laypeople from 35 countries via a crowdsourcing platform. Reports 39 were validated using the Greyson NDE Scale.40Results: Eighty-one of 1037 participants had NDE (7.8%; CI 6.3-9.7%). There were no 41 significant associations between NDE and age (p>0.6, t-test independent samples) or gender 42 (p>0.9, chi-square test). The only significant association was between NDE and migraine aura: 43Forty-eight (6.1%) of 783 subjects without migraine aura and 33 (13.0%) of 254 subjects with 44 migraine aura had NDE (p<0.001, chi-square test, odds ratio (OR) = 2.29). In multiple logistic 45 regression analysis, migraine aura remained significant after adjustment for age (p0.001, OR 46 2.31), gender (p<0.001, OR 2.33), or both (p<0.001, OR 2.33). 47 Conclusions: In our sample, migraine aura was a predictor of NDE. This indirectly supports the 48 association between NDE and REM intrusion and might have implications for the understanding 49 of NDE, because a variant of spreading depolarization (SD), terminal SD, occurs in humans at 50 3 the end of life, while a short-lasting variant of SD is considered the pathophysiological correlate 51 of migraine aura. 52 53 Introduction 54 55 Near-death experiences (NDE) include emotional, self-related, spiritual and mystical perceptions 56 and feelings, occurring in situations close to death or in other situations of imminent physical or 57 emotional danger (Greyson, 1983; Parnia et al., 2014). Common themes of NDE comprise, but 58 are not restricted to, out-of-body experiences, visual and auditory hallucinations and distortion of 59 time perception, including increased speed of thoughts (Greyson, 1983). 60 The neuronal mechanisms of NDE are poorly understood (Peinkhofer, Dreier & Kondziella, 61 2019). Nelson and colleagues previously proposed the concept that rapid eye movement (REM) 62 sleep intrusion and REM related out-of-body experiences could occur at the time of a life-63 threatening event and might explain many elements of NDE (Nelson et al., 2006; Nelson, 64 Mattingly & Schmitt, 2007). REM sleep is defined by rapid and random saccadic eye 65 movements, loss of muscle tone, vivid dreaming, and cortical activation as revealed by 66 desynchronization of the scalp electroencephalography (EEG). REM state features can intrude 67 into wakefulness, both in healthy individuals and patients with narcolepsy. This may cause visual 68 and auditory hallucinations at sleep onset (hypnagogic) or upon awakening (hypnopompic) and 69 muscle...

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Migraine aura, a predictor of near-death experiences in a crowdsourced study

Kondziella

Olsen

Lemâle

et al. 2019

Preprint

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“…Interviews were transcribed verbatim from these recordings. In a stepwise manner and using an inductive approach, thematic analysis was used to identify themes as well as similarities and differences between participant experiences . One investigator (A.K.)…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…grouped these codes into categories according to their similarities, organized these categories into themes, and identified quotations that corresponded to the themes. In the final step, all authors evaluated these findings and agreed upon the most salient themes to be highlighted for the article . The current study was approved by the institutional review board at MSKCC.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The experience of hearing loss in adult survivors of childhood and young adult cancer: A qualitative study

Khan

Mubdi

Budnick

et al. 2020

Cancer

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Background Hearing loss is a prevalent late effect among cancer survivors. Despite the significant social costs, there is a noted delay in seeking care and to the authors' knowledge there are limited data regarding the lived experiences of cancer survivors with hearing loss. The objective of the current study was to explore the lived experience of hearing loss in survivors of childhood and young adult cancers to guide survivorship care. Methods A total of 24 survivors participated in semistructured telephone interviews. Inclusion criteria consisted of a clinical visit at the Adult Long‐Term Follow‐Up Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City between September 2005 and January 2019; exposure to cranial radiotherapy, platinum chemotherapy, or both; and hearing loss as evidenced by clinical notes, use of hearing aids, or audiogram levels consistent with severe ototoxicity. Results Three primary themes emerged from the interviews. First, posttreatment hearing loss is associated with isolation and feelings of exclusion. Second, clinicians play an important role in providing survivors with education regarding hearing loss and hearing aids. Finally, hearing loss for survivors may be deprioritized because it is a reminder of the cancer history and is interpreted within the context of other treatment‐related late effects. Conclusions Clinicians play an important role in initiating the discussion regarding hearing loss with survivors given the importance of hearing in maintaining social relationships, the availability of hearing care interventions, and the invisibility of hearing loss. Education regarding the value of treatment may have implications for how survivors choose to prioritize hearing loss and seek care.

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“…1 Reports of near-death experiences include, but are not limited to, increased speed of thoughts, distortion of time perception, out-of-body experiences, and visual and auditive hallucinations. 1–3…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of near-death experiences and REM sleep intrusion in 1034 adults from 35 countries

Kondziella

Olsen

2019

Preprint

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BackgroundNear-death experiences have fascinated humans for centuries, but their origin and prevalence remain unknown.MethodsUsing an online crowdsourcing platform, we recruited 1034 lay people from 35 countries to investigate the prevalence of near-death experiences and self-reported REM sleep intrusion. Reports were validated using the Greyson Near-Death Experiences Scale (GNDES) with a score of ≥7 as cut-off point for identifying near-death experiences.ResultsNear-death experiences were reported by 106 of 1034 participants (10%; CI 95% 8.5-12%). REM sleep intrusion was more common in people with near-death experiences (n=50/106; 47%) than in people with experiences with 6 points or less on the GNDES (n=47/183; 26%) or in those without any such experience (n=107/744; 14%; p=<0.0001). Following multivariate regression analysis to adjust for age, gender, place of origin, employment status and perceived danger, this association remained highly significant; people with REM sleep intrusion were more likely to exhibit near-death experiences than those without REM sleep abnormalities (odds ratio 2.85; CI 95% 1.68-4.88; p=0.0001).ConclusionsThe prevalence of near-death experiences in the public is around 10%. While age, gender, place of residence, employment status and perceived threat do not seem to influence the prevalence of near-death experiences, there is a significant association with REM sleep intrusion. This finding is in line with the view that despite imminent threat to life, brain physiology must be well-preserved to perceive these fascinating experiences and store them as long-term memories.

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Qualitative thematic analysis of the phenomenology of near-death experiences

Cited by 84 publications

References 32 publications

Migraine aura, a predictor of near-death experiences in a crowdsourced study

Migraine aura, a predictor of near-death experiences in a crowdsourced study

The experience of hearing loss in adult survivors of childhood and young adult cancer: A qualitative study

Prevalence of near-death experiences and REM sleep intrusion in 1034 adults from 35 countries

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