A Prospective, Longitudinal Evaluation of Participation in an Online Out-of-Body Experience (OBE) Workshop

Abstract

Abstract This describes the design and analytic plan for a longitudinal, within-subjects evaluation of an online experiential workshop focused on learning to self-induce out-of-body experiences (OBEs). Outcomes are assessed using a comprehensive battery of validated and exploratory measures, alongside additional standardized scales targeting absorption, mystical experience, death attitudes, and post-experiential change. Data are collected at four timepoints: baseline, immediate post-workshop, three-month follow-up, and six-month follow-up, allowing for examination of immediate effects, durability of change, and longer-term trajectories. This document details the measures used, timing of administration, and planned analytic strategy for evaluating longitudinal change. OSF Context and Transparency Statement This document is intended for posting as an OSF preregistration to provide methodological transparency regarding study design, measurement selection, and planned analyses. The de-identified data and analysis scripts to be shared via OSF upon study completion, in accordance with IRB approval and participant consent. Research Questions Primary Research Question Does participation in a week-long online out-of-body experience (OBE) training workshop produce a measurable change in self-reported psychological well-being from pre- to post-workshop? Secondary Research Question Does participation in the workshop produce a measurable change in positive and negative affect from pre- to post-workshop after 3 months and 6 months? All other outcomes are explicitly designated as secondary or exploratory. Hypotheses Primary Hypothesis Participants will show higher post-workshop psychological well-being compared to pre-workshop baseline. Secondary Hypothesis Participants will show increased positive affect and decreased negative affect following the workshop relative to baseline. Study Design The study employs a prospective, longitudinal, within-subjects design evaluating psychospiritual, affective, health-related, and experiential outcomes associated with participation in a structured online OBE workshop. Measures will be collected at four timepoints: T1 (baseline), collected within 72 hours prior to the workshop, T2 (post), collected within 72 hours following workshop completion, T3 collected 3 months following T2, and T4 collected 6 months after T2. The intervention consists of a multi-session online workshop designed to teach participants techniques for self-inducing out-of-body experiences. No control group is included. All conclusions are limited to within-subject change, and no causal inference is claimed. All core self-report measures are administered consistently across timepoints unless otherwise specified. Participants Participants are adults recruited via public advertisement for an online study conducted by the Institute of Noetic Sciences, where the OBE workshop was designed and led by Jade Shaw. Inclusion and exclusion criteria, informed consent procedures, and participant protections are detailed in the IRB-approved consent form. Anticipated attrition across follow-up timepoints will be documented and statistically examined. The target sample size is 200 participants. Eligible participants must be 18 years of age or older, able to read and understand English, able to provide informed consent, and willing to complete all study measures. Individuals with cognitive impairment that prevents informed consent, or acute or chronic illness that precludes survey completion were excluded. Measures Measures were selected to assess psychological well-being, affective states, interconnectedness, existential attitudes, and individual difference variables relevant to the workshop. Instruments were grouped according to their role in addressing the study research questions. Measures for Research Question 1: Psychological Well-Being and Short-Term Outcomes The primary outcome for Research Question 1 is overall psychological well-being. Secondary outcomes assess affect, sleep disturbance, and pain. These measures were administered at baseline (T1) and immediately following the workshop (T2). Arizona Integrative Outcomes Scale (AIOS) A single-item visual analog scale assessing overall well-being on a 0–100 scale. Higher scores indicate greater well-being. Positive and Negative Affect Schedule – Expanded (PANAS-X, short form) Measures positive affect and negative affect using standardized subscales assessing recent emotional experience. Sleep Quality Scale (SQS) A single-item rating of acute sleep quality during the previous 24 hours on a 0–10 scale. Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) A single-item rating of current pain intensity on a 0–10 scale. Measures for Research Question 2: Interconnectedness, Self-Transcendence, and Death-Related Attitudes Exploratory measures were included to assess broader psychological and existential changes potentially associated with the workshop. These constructs were assessed across multiple timepoints depending on the instrument. Cloninger Self-Transcendence Subscale A 15-item measure assessing aspects of spirituality, transpersonal identification, and perceived connectedness with a larger whole. Inclusion of Nature in Self (INS) A single-item pictorial measure assessing perceived connectedness with the natural world. Inclusion of Other in Self (IOS) A single-item pictorial measure assessing perceived interpersonal connectedness. Testoni Death Representation Scale Assesses conceptual representations of death, such as viewing death as annihilation or as a transition. This scale was administered at T1, T2, T3, and T4. Fear of Death Subscale (Death Attitude Profile–Revised; DAP-R) Measures fear-related attitudes toward death and mortality. This subscale was administered at T1, T2, T3, and T4. Index of Changes Resulting From Experiences Questionnaire (ICRE) Assesses perceived personal and behavioral changes resulting from salient or transformative experiences. This measure was administered at T2, T3, and T4. Mystical Experience Questionnaire – 4 Item (MEQ4) A brief measure assessing core features of mystical-type experiences. This measure was administered at post-workshop and follow-up assessments (T2–T4). Measures for Research Question 3: Individual Difference Predictors Several baseline measures were included to examine whether individual differences predict changes in outcomes following participation in the workshop. Modified Tellegen Absorption Scale (MODTAS) Assesses trait absorption and attentional engagement in sensory and imaginative experiences. This measure was administered at baseline (T1). Noetic Experience and Belief Scale (NEBS) Assesses beliefs in and reported experiences of paranormal or noetic phenomena. This measure was administered at baseline (T1). Out-of-Body Experience Occurrence At each post-baseline assessment (T2–T4), participants were asked whether they had experienced an out-of-body experience since the previous survey. For analytic purposes, OBE occurrence will be operationalized as a binary indicator reflecting whether a participant reported at least one OBE during the study period. For analyses examining immediate pre- to post-workshop change (T1 to T2), OBE occurrence will be defined based on the T2 report. For exploratory analyses of longer-term outcomes, participants will be coded as having experienced an OBE if they reported an OBE at any post-baseline assessment (T2–T4). Data Preparation and Quality Control Item-level data will be retained for all measures. Scale scores will be computed according to published scoring instructions. Internal consistency (e.g., Cronbach’s alpha or omega) will be evaluated for multi-item scales at each applicable timepoint. Longitudinal analyses will use methods robust to missing-at-random data where appropriate. Research Questions and Hypotheses Research Question 1 Does participation in the online out-of-body experience (OBE) workshop produce changes in psychological well-being and related short-term outcomes from pre- to post-workshop? The primary outcome for this study is psychological well-being as measured by the AIOS Well-Being Scale. Secondary outcomes include positive affect, negative affect, sleep disturbance, and pain. These outcomes are assessed at baseline (T1) and immediately following the workshop (T2). Primary Hypothesis Participants will report higher psychological well-being at T2 compared with T1. Secondary Hypotheses Positive affect will be higher at T2 compared with T1. Negative affect will be lower at T2 compared with T1. Sleep disturbance will be lower at T2 compared with T1. Self-reported pain will be lower at T2 compared with T1. Research Question 2 Does participation in the workshop relate to changes in interconnectedness, self-transcendence, and death-related attitudes over time? Participation in the workshop may also be associated with broader psychological or existential shifts. These outcomes are considered exploratory and include measures of interconnectedness and self-transcendence, death-related attitudes, transformational life changes, and mystical-type experiences. These constructs are assessed across multiple timepoints (T1–T4) depending on the instrument. Exploratory Hypotheses Participants will report increased interconnectedness and self-transcendence following the workshop. Death-related attitudes will shift over time, reflected in reduced fear of death and changes in death representation across follow-up assessments (T1–T4). Participants will report transformational and mystical-type experiences following the workshop, reflected in scores on the Index of Changes Resulting From Experiences and the Mystical Experience Questionnaire–4 item (MEQ4) across post-workshop assessments. Research Question 3 Do baseline individual differences and workshop experiences predict changes in study outcomes? The study also examines whether baseline traits and workshop experiences influence psychologica