Near-Death Experiences: A Bibliometric and Systematic Review of Published Literature From 1977 to 2025.
Sandra Barreto
OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying July 30, 2025 DOI: 10.1177/00302228251363788 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 775 |
| Population | Articles on near-death experiences |
| Topics | Near-death experience |
| Keywords | Bibliometric analysis Interdisciplinary research Systematic review Tree of science |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key findings | The theoretical landscape of near-death experience research is fragmented, underscoring the need for integrative frameworks. |
Abstract
Interest in near-death experiences (NDEs) has grown across disciplines such as medicine, psychology, and literature, yet no consensus exists on their origin or nature. This study presents a bibliometric and systematic review of 775 articles published between 1977 and April 2025, using PRISMA guidelines. Data was extracted from the Scopus database and analyzed with the Bibliometrix package in R. Additionally, the Tree of Science method was used to map citation networks and identify core contributions and research fronts. The United States, the United Kingdom, and Belgium lead in NDE research. Methodologies vary widely, encompassing medical analyses of brain activity, psychological outcomes like reduced suicidal ideation, and narrative approaches identifying common language patterns. Findings reveal a fragmented theoretical landscape, emphasizing the need for integrative frameworks. Future studies should deepen the medical and psychological understanding of NDEs and explore their long-term impact on individuals' mental health and spiritual development.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on near-death experience, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Almost 40 Years Investigating Near-Death Experiences Scholarly publications on near-death experiences | 2014 | Systematic review | n = 266 |
| Explanation of near-death experiences: a systematic analysis of case reports and qualitative research. Individuals (men, women, and children) who reported near-death experiences | 2023 | Systematic review | n = 465 |
| Systematic Review on the Aftereffects of Near-Death Experiences. | 2025 | Systematic review | |
| Recalled Experience of Death: transcending the cerebrocentric model of consciousness | 2024 | Non-systematic review | |
| Death and Near-Death Experiences in Ketamine and Psychedelic Therapy | Systematic review and synthesis |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Descriptive and cognitive-perceptual examination of near-death experiences in an Argentine sample: A comparative study Explore April 30, 2026
- The Emergent Post-Loss Experience (EPLE) in Grief Therapy: A Mixed-Method Study Psychology International April 27, 2026
- Religious and Spiritual Changes After Near-Death Experience: A Survey-Based Study Among Urban Indonesians Religions March 12, 2026
Cites 34
- Out‐of‐body experience and autoscopy of neurological origin Brain January 15, 2004
- Near-death experience in survivors of cardiac arrest: a prospective study in the Netherlands The Lancet December 1, 2001
- The Near-Death Experience Scale The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease June 1, 1983
- What Geometric Visual Hallucinations Tell Us about the Visual Cortex Neural Computation March 1, 2002
- A Review of the Nonmedical Use of Ketamine: Use, Users and Consequences Journal of Psychoactive Drugs December 1, 2000
and 29 more in the library