Life changes in patients after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest : the effect of near-death experiences.
International Journal of Behavioral Medicine March 2013 DOI: 10.1007/s12529-011-9209-y (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Prospective observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 37 |
| Population | Patients 6 months after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (average age 54.0 years, range 22-81 years, 29 males) |
| Duration | 6 months after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest |
| Measures | Greyson's NDE scale, Ring's life change inventory |
| Topics | Near-death experience |
| Key findings | Cardiac arrest survivors overall did not report extensive life changes, but the 7 of 37 patients (18.9%) who reported near-death experiences showed significantly stronger changes in tolerance for others, self-understanding, appreciation of nature, a sense of inner meaning in life, and concern with social justice compared with those without NDEs. |
Abstract
Cardiac arrest is a traumatic event that often affects patients' lives in many ways. Patients after near-death experiences (NDEs) often express strong and permanent change of their values, beliefs and principles. The aim of this study was to determine the association between NDEs and life changes in patients 6 months after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. This was a prospective observational study, which included 37 patients (average age 54.0 years, range 22-81 years, 29 males) 6 months after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The presence of NDEs was assessed with a self-administered Greyson's NDE scale. The intensity of life changes was assessed with a self-administered Ring's life change inventory. Univariate analysis was performed. NDEs were reported by seven (18.9%) patients. In comparison to the non-NDEs group, patients in the NDEs group expressed significantly stronger changes in the following items: tolerance for others, understanding of myself, appreciation of nature, sense that there is some inner meaning to my life and concern with questions of social justice. Cardiac arrest survivors do not express extensive life changes. But, the presence of NDEs is significantly associated with the change of interest in some aspects of patients' lives. Such patients should be prepared for significant life changes that might occur after NDEs by health workers and receive professional help to accommodate to them.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on near-death experience, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Near-death experience in survivors of cardiac arrest: a prospective study in the Netherlands Cardiac patients successfully resuscitated after cardiac arrest in ten Dutch hospitals | 2001 | Prospective cohort study | n = 344 |
| Incidence and correlates of near-death experiences in a cardiac care unit Cardiac inpatients at a tertiary care center | 2003 | Observational cohort | n = 1,595 |
| Features of "near-death experience" in relation to whether or not patients were near death Patients who believed they were near death during an illness or after an injury and... | 1990 | Observational cohort | n = 58 |
| The phenomenology of near-death experiences Subjects who reported near-death experiences | 1980 | Retrospective study | n = 78 |
| Near-Death Experiences and the Temporal Lobe Individuals who reported having had a near-death experience during a life-threatening... | 2004 | Observational cohort |
Citations in the library
Cited by 18
- A Virtual Out-of-Body Experience Reduces Fear of Death PLoS One January 9, 2017
- Virtual mortality and near-death experience after a prolonged exposure in a shared virtual reality may lead to positive life-attitude changes PLoS One November 5, 2018
- Verified account of near-death experience in a physician who survived cardiac arrest. Explore March 19, 2020
- Burn Survivors’ Near-Death Experiences: A Qualitative Examination OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying February 1, 2020
- Ayahuasca-induced personal death experiences: prevalence, characteristics, and impact on attitudes toward death, life, and the environment Frontiers in Psychiatry December 19, 2023
and 13 more in the library
Cites 10
- 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
- Attitude Change Following Near-Death Experiences Psychiatry August 1, 1980
- Near-death experiences. American Psychological Association eBooks October 27, 2004
- The Near-death Experience The British Journal of Psychiatry November 1, 1988
and 5 more in the library