Spiritual experiences of transcendence in patients with advanced cancer.
Monika Renz, M Schuett Mao, A Omlin, D Bueche, Thomas Cerny, Florian Strasser
The American journal of hospice & palliative care March 1, 2015 DOI: 10.1177/1049909113512201 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study with participant observation and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 251 |
| Population | Advanced cancer patients hospitalized in a hospital setting |
| Duration | 12 months |
| Topics | Mysticism |
| Keywords | Connectedness Empathy Music therapy Palliative care Spiritual care Spirituality Transcendence |
| Key findings | Spiritual experiences of transcendence were frequently reported by advanced cancer patients and were linked to reduced pain, anxiety, and greater acceptance of illness and death. |
Abstract
Spirituality encompasses a wide range of meanings between holistic wellbeing and mysticism. We explored advanced cancer patients' spiritual experiences of transcendence. A total of 251 patients with advanced cancer were included and observed (participant observation) over 12 months by a psycho-oncologist/music-therapist. She recorded and documented patients' spontaneously expressed spiritual experiences during hospitalisation. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was applied. 135 patients communicated a spiritual experience, as expressed by altered body-awareness, less pain, less anxiety, higher acceptance of illness/death, new spiritual identity. Spiritual experiences were communicated by patients across different religious affiliations/attitudes. We identified types of spiritual experiences. The occurrence of spiritual experiences seems to be frequent and associated with profound, powerful reactions. Our results indicate that experienced-based spiritual care may complement current needs-based approaches.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on mysticism, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualitative and Quantitative Features of Music Reported to Support Peak Mystical Experiences during Psychedelic Therapy Sessions Individuals with extensive experience administering psilocybin or psilocybin-containing... | 2017 | Survey and qualitative/quantitative analysis | n = 10 |
| Common Core Thesis and Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Mysticism in Chinese Buddhist Monks and Nuns Chinese Pure Land and Chan Buddhist monks and nuns | 2011 | Mixed-methods study | n = 139 |
| Do Drugs Have Religious Import? A 40-Year Retrospective | 2004 | Interview | |
| Narratives of the mystical among users of psychedelics Psychedelic drug users | 2021 | Qualitative study | n = 50 |
| Auras in mysticism and synaesthesia: a comparison. Synaesthetes who experience colors in response to human faces and figures | 2012 | Qualitative study | n = 4 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Fear, Pain, Denial, and Spiritual Experiences in Dying Processes American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine® August 21, 2017
- End-of-life experiences in patients: a scoping review of types, characteristics, and implications for the mind-brain relationship. International Review of Psychiatry 2025
- A Thematic Literature Review: The Importance of Providing Spiritual Care for End-of-Life Patients Who Have Experienced Transcendence Phenomena. The American journal of hospice & palliative care July 12, 2015