Virtual mortality and near-death experience after a prolonged exposure in a shared virtual reality may lead to positive life-attitude changes
Itxaso Barberia, Ramon Oliva, Pierre Bourdin, Mel Slater
PLoS One November 5, 2018 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203358 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 31 |
| Population | Female participants |
| Duration | 6 sessions |
| Topics | Near-death experience |
| Keywords | Virtual reality Lead geology Metaverse Human–computer interaction |
| Citations | 71 |
| Key findings | Virtual reality simulation of death and near-death experiences led to life attitude changes, increasing concern for others and global issues over material concerns compared to a control group. |
Abstract
Mortality is an obvious if uncomfortable part of the human condition, yet it is impossible to study its impact on anyone who experiences it. Reports of phenomena associated with death such as out-of-the-body (OBE) and near death experiences (NDE) can only be studied post-hoc, since it is impossible to design a scientific study where an experimental group experiences death (and returns) and a control group does not. Yet NDEs seem to have a profound influence on the subsequent lives of people and are therefore worthy of study. Terror Management Theory, which argues that death anxiety contributes to in-group solidarity and hostility to out-groups, relies on studies that manipulate opinions and cannot be based on experiential evidence. Here we introduce a potential methodology that uses immersive virtual reality (VR) for the study of mortality and NDEs. Participants are embodied in alternate bodies in a beautiful island along with two companions. They explore the island and carry out tasks together. The mechanism of embodiment produces strong illusions of ownership over their life-sized virtual bodies. Over time each participant witnesses the death of the two companions and then her own death-which includes the reported features of an NDE (OBE, life review, the tunnel leading to white light) followed by a period of observation of the continuing activities in the virtual world on an external screen. Fifteen female participants experienced 6 sessions in the island, each starting as a child and gradually maturing, and eventually ageing and dying. Sixteen control subjects formed a waiting group. We introduce this as a methodology for the study of these issues, and present promising results, suggesting that those who experienced the island report life attitude changes, becoming more concerned with others and more interested in global rather than material issues compared to the control group. The results are based on a small sample size, and should be considered as indicative of the possibilities of this new methodology as a way forward for future studies in this field.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on near-death experience, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| DMT Models the Near-Death Experience Healthy participants | 2018 | Within-subjects placebo-controlled study | n = 13 |
| Effects of a Near-Death Experience Learning Module on Grief Bereaved adults (22 females, 2 males; aged 20-71 years, mean age 35.3 years) | 2010 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 24 |
| A virtual reality intervention to reduce death anxiety and stress in adults: examining the effect of a near-death experience simulation Adults | 2025 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 61 |
| Does Learning About Near-Death Experiences Promote Psycho-Spiritual Benefits in Those Who Have Not Had a Near-Death Experience? Adults (unspecified) randomly assigned to intervention or non-intervention group | 2017 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 143 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 16
- Near-Death Experience as a Probe to Explore (Disconnected) Consciousness Trends in Cognitive Sciences January 22, 2020
- Comparison of psychedelic and near-death or other non-ordinary experiences in changing attitudes about death and dying PLoS One August 24, 2022
- Semiology and Mechanisms of Near-Death Experiences Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports July 27, 2019
- Psychedelic unselfing: self-transcendence and change of values in psychedelic experiences Frontiers in Psychology June 14, 2023
- Neurophenomenology of near-death experience memory in hypnotic recall: a within-subject EEG study. Scientific Reports October 1, 2019
and 11 more in the library
Cites 9
- Distressing Near-Death Experiences Psychiatry February 1, 1992
- Qualitative thematic analysis of the phenomenology of near-death experiences PLoS One February 14, 2018
- A Virtual Out-of-Body Experience Reduces Fear of Death PLoS One January 9, 2017
- Near-Death Experience: Out-of-Body and Out-of-Brain? Review of General Psychology March 1, 2011
- Burn Survivors’ Near-Death Experiences: A Qualitative Examination OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying February 1, 2020
and 4 more in the library