Near-death experiences (NDEs) are typically positive, but about 14% of 123 NDE accounts were distressing. These distressing NDEs included inverse, hellish, or void types, with inverse and hellish each appearing 8 times and void once. A higher proportion of suicide survivors reported distressing NDEs compared to classical ones. Memories of distressing NDEs were as phenomenologically detailed as those of classical NDEs. The findings suggest distressing NDEs require careful attention to help experiencers integrate them into their identity.
A subset of patients in a minimally conscious state show improved behavioral responsiveness after transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, while those who are unresponsive show limited benefit. Among 131 patients, 32% of minimally conscious patients responded to tDCS, compared to 10% of unresponsive patients. A regression model using baseline diagnosis, Coma Recovery Scale-Revised Index, age, sex, and time since injury correctly identified responders 77% of the time. Patients in a minimally conscious state with better cognitive profiles and longer time since injury appear to respond better to tDCS, suggesting they are better candidates for this treatment.