Lai, C. F., Kao, T. W., Wu, M. S., Chiang, S. S., Chang, C. H., Lu, C. S., Yang, C. S., Yang, C. C., Chang, H. W., Lin, S. L., Chang, C. J., Chen, P. Y., Wu, K. D., Tsai, T. J., & Chen, W. Y. (2007). Impact of near-death experiences on dialysis patients: A multicenter collaborative study American Journal of Kidney Diseases, 50(1) 124-132.
Abstract: Background: People who have come close to death may report an unusual experience known as a near-death experience (NDE). This study aims to investigate NDEs and their aftereffects in dialysis patients. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting & Participants: 710 dialysis patients at 7 centers in Taipei, Taiwan. Predictor: Demographic characteristics, life-threatening experience, depression, and religiosity. Outcomes: NDE and self-perceived changes in attitudes or behaviors. Measurements: Greysonâs NDE scale, Royal Free Questionnaire, 10-Question Survey, Ringâs Weighted Core Experience Index, and Beck Depression Inventory. Results: 45 patients had 51 NDEs. Mean NDE score was 11.9 (95% confidence interval, 11.0 to 12.9). Out-of-body experience was found in 51.0% of NDEs. Purported precognitive visions, awareness of being dead, and âtunnel experienceâ were uncommon (<10%). Compared with the no-NDE group, subjects in the NDE group were more likely to be women and younger at life-threatening events. Both frequency of participation in religious ceremonies and pious religious activity correlated significantly with NDE score in patients with NDEs (p < 0.01 and p = 0.01, respectively). The NDE group reported being kinder to others (p = 0.04) and more motivated (p= 0.02) after their life-threatening events than the no-NDE group. Limitations: Determining the incidence of NDEs is dependent on self-reporting. Many NDEs occurred before the patient began long-term dialysis therapy. Causality between NDE and aftereffects cannot be inferred. Conclusions: NDE is not uncommon in the dialysis population and is associated with positive aftereffects. Nephrology care providers should be aware of the occurrence and aftereffects of NDEs. The high occurrence of life-threatening events, availability of medical records, and accessibility and cooperativeness of patients make the dialysis population very suitable for NDE research.
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Topics:
Aftereffects of NDEsâEmotional
Aftereffects of NDEsâOrientation to Death
Aftereffects of NDEsâOrientation to Life
Aftereffects of NDEsâReligion
Aftereffects of NDEs NOS
Afterlife, Belief in
Altered States and NDEs
Characteristics of NDErsâAge, Adults
Characteristics of NDErsâEducation Level
Characteristics of NDErsâGender
Characteristics of NDErsâReligious Affiliations
Characteristics of NDErs NOS
Characteristics of NDEsâAutoscopy, Out-of-Body
Characteristics of NDEsâEmotions, Distressing
Characteristics of NDEsâEmotions, Pleasurable
Characteristics of NDEsâEncountering Beings, Deceased or Living
Characteristics of NDEsâEncountering Beings, Spiritual
Characteristics of NDEsâIncreased Knowledge, Thoughts
Characteristics of NDEsâLife Review
Characteristics of NDEsâLight, Mystical
Characteristics of NDEsâOtherworldly Environments
Characteristics of NDEsâParapsychological Phenomena, ESP
Characteristics of NDEsâParapsychological Phenomena, Precognition
Characteristics of NDEsâPerception of Time
Characteristics of NDEsâReturn NOS
Characteristics of NDEsâSensory, Vision
Characteristics of NDEsâSensory NOS
Characteristics of NDEsâTunnel Experiences
Characteristics of NDEs NOS
Circumstances of NDEsâConsciousness and Unconsciousness
Circumstances of NDEsâHospital
Circumstances of NDEsâIllness
Cross-Cultural NDEs (outside the U.S.)ânon-Western
Health Care Professionals and NDEsâMedical
Methodology in NDE Research
Veridical Perception during NDEs