Rominger, R. A. (2009). Exploring the Integration of Near-Death Experience Aftereffects: Summary of Findings Journal of Near-Death Studies, 28(1) 3-34.

Abstract: Preliminary evidence suggests that both near-death experiencers (NDErs) and nonexperiencers who learn about near-death experiences (NDEs) show beneficial aftereffects. In this article I summarize the findings of an exploratory study to examine a small group process utilizing spiritual guidance and expressive arts for integrating NDE aftereffects. Eleven adult participants – four NDErs and seven non-NDErs – completed a pretest, initial posttest, and longitudinal posttest consisting of a revised version of the Omega Life Change Questionnaire (Rominger-LCQ) and the Human Spirituality Scale, as well as semistructured individual and group interviews. I also collected the expressive art participants created during sessions, photographed it, and used it to identify pictorial themes. Quantitative results included some significant differences and some nonsignificant trends indicating greater spirituality and life changes among NDErs compared to non-NDErs and, for all participants, from pre- to posttest. Qualitative interview material revealed participants had learned material on a number of topics including a broader understanding of, and ability to communicate about, the NDE. Qualitative pictorial data revealed themes suggesting that both NDErs and non-NDErs had integrated positive aftereffects. The process described herein may benefit spiritual guides and directors, expressive art therapists, and therapists working with individuals who have had an NDE or other spiritually transformative experience. I also discuss methodological benefits of using artistic inquiry.

Copyright:

Link: http://www.iands.org

Topics:
Accounts of NDEs—Autobiographical
Accounts of NDEs—Biographical, Cases
Aftereffects of NDEs—Cognitive
Aftereffects of NDEs—Emotional
Aftereffects of NDEs—Orientation to Death
Aftereffects of NDEs—Orientation to Life
Aftereffects of NDEs—Paranormal Phenomena
Aftereffects of NDEs—Physical Changes
Aftereffects of NDEs—Religion
Aftereffects of NDEs—Relationships (familial, social)
Aftereffects of NDEs—Sense of Self, Psychological and Physical
Aftereffects of NDEs NOS
Afterlife, Belief in
Characteristics of NDErs—Age, Adults
Characteristics of NDErs—Age, Children-Adolescents
Characteristics of NDErs—Education Level
Characteristics of NDErs—Gender
Characteristics of NDErs—Religious Affiliations
Characteristics of NDErs NOS
Characteristics of NDEs—Emotions, Distressing
Characteristics of NDEs—Emotions, Pleasurable
Counseling NDErs
Education about NDEs
Healing and NDEs—Psychological
Health Care Professionals and NDEs—Psychological
Health Care Professionals and NDEs—Social Workers
Health Care Professionals and NDEs—Spiritual (chaplains, clergy)
Interpretations of NDEs
Mental Processes and NDEs
Methodology in NDE Research
Non-NDErs’ Attitude Change after Learning about NDEs
Theories, NDE-Related, Psychological NOS

Rousseau, D. (2011). Near-Death Experiences and the Mind-Body Relationship: A Systems- Theoretical Perspective Journal of Near-Death Studies, 29(3) 399-435.

Abstract: In this paper I support the view that NDEs provide empirical support for mind-body substance dualism and argue that a systems-theoretical analysis of the evidence is required to obtain valid insights into the nature of the mind as a substantial object existing in addition to the body. Without such an approach, systems phenomena such as property emergence and property masking could lead to mischaracterization of both the nature of the mind itself and the ways in which the mind and body work together holistically. Applying a systems-theoretical perspective, I show that some psychic abilities are emergent capacities of the mind-body system, that ordinary faculties such as emotional perceptiveness can be understood within the same framework as extraordinary faculties such as telepathy, and that NDE evidence favors a naturalistic form of Substance Dualism.

Copyright:

Link: http://www.iands.org

Topics:
Altered States and NDEs
Circumstances of NDEs—Illness
Explanations of NDEs—Parapsychological
Explanations of NDEs—Philosophical
Explanations of NDEs—Psychological
Explanations of NDEs NOS
Mental Processes and NDEs
Methodology in NDE Research
Theories, NDE-Related, Psychological NOS

Sabom, M. B. (2007). Commentary on "Does paranormal perception occur in near-death experiences?" Journal of Near-Death Studies, 25(4) 257-260.

Abstract: Keith Augustine raises questions regarding Pam Reynolds's near-death experience (NDE) while undergoing cerebral aneurysm surgery using the hypothermic cardiac arrest ("standstill") procedure. I specifically address questions regarding anethesia and brainstem auditory evoked response procedures; and the relation of Reynolds's NDE to "standstill" and life after death.

Copyright:

Link: http://www.iands.org

Topics:
Afterlife, Belief in
Characteristics of NDEs—Sensory, Sound, Hearing
Explanations of NDEs NOS
Psychopharmacology and NDEs—Anesthesia

Sabom, M. B. (2008). The acute dying experience Journal of Near-Death Studies, 26(3) 181-218.

Abstract: The acute dying experience (ADE) incorporates peritraumatic dissociation and hyperarousal (for example, speeding thought, narrowing and sharpening of perception, and preparation for action) into an experiential continuum lasting seconds to minutes. It is instantly triggered by the sudden, clear perception of threat of significant injury and/or death and followed, at times, by physical trauma, physiological derangement, and loss of consciousness. Peritraumatic dissociation was diagnosed in 83 percent of survivors of 52 life-threatening accidents. Depth of peritraumatic dissociation correlated positively with subject's severity of injury (p < .05), loss of consciousness (p < .05), perceived certainty of death (p = .055), and hospital treatment (p = .10). Eighty-four percent of injured subjects felt no immediate pain regardless of severity of injury. Absence of emotion accompanied minor injury; a feeling of peace predominated with more severe trauma. The ADE mirrors the three-phase response of perception, defense, and recuperation observed during predator-prey interaction in animals. It appears to be an adaptive response that promotes survival by holding paralyzing emotions in abeyance, increasing mental alertness, and blocking disabling pain. Results from this and other studies show that paradoxically the more terrifying and traumatic an accident may appear, the more peaceful and painless it may actually be experienced.

Copyright:

Link: http://www.iands.org

Topics:
Related Experiences NOS

Sartori, P., Badham, P., & Fenwick, P. (2006). A prospectively studied near-death experience with corroborated out-of-body perceptions and unexplained healing Journal of Near-Death Studies, 25(2) 69-84.

Abstract: There are reports of veridical out-of-body experiences (OBEs) and healing occurring during near-death experiences (NDEs). We report a case in which there was strong evidence for both healing and veridical OBE. The patient's experience was thought to have occurred while he was unconscious in an intensive therapy unit (ITU). The patient's account of an OBE contained many veridical elements that were corroborated by the medical team attending his medical emergency. He had suffered from a claw hand and hemiplegic gait since birth. After the experience he was able to open his hand and his gait showed a marked improvement.

Copyright:

Link: http://www.iands.org

Topics:
Accounts of NDEs—Autobiographical
Accounts of NDEs—Biographical, Cases
Aftereffects of NDEs—Orientation to Death
Aftereffects of NDEs—Physical Changes
Characteristics of NDErs—Age, Adults
Characteristics of NDErs—Gender
Characteristics of NDErs NOS
Characteristics of NDEs—Autoscopy, Out-of-Body
Characteristics of NDEs—Emotions, Pleasurable
Characteristics of NDEs—Encountering Beings, Deceased or Living
Characteristics of NDEs—Encountering Beings, Spiritual
Characteristics of NDEs—Parapsychological Phenomena, ESP
Characteristics of NDEs—Perception of Time
Characteristics of NDEs—Return, Involuntary
Characteristics of NDEs—Sensory, Sound, Hearing
Characteristics of NDEs—Sensory, Sound NOS
Characteristics of NDEs—Sensory, Vision
Characteristics of NDEs NOS
Circumstances of NDEs—Consciousness and Unconsciousness
Circumstances of NDEs—Hospital
Circumstances of NDEs—Illness
Circumstances of NDEs—Time Elapse
Disclosure of NDEs
Healing and NDEs—Physical
Health Care Professionals and NDEs—Medical
Interpretations of NDEs
Mental Processes and NDEs
Methodology in NDE Research
Psychopathology and NDEs—Hallucinations
Veridical Perception during NDEs