Near-Death Experiences: A Bibliometric and Systematic Review of Published Literature From 1977 to 2025.

Research on near-death experiences (NDEs) has expanded across medicine, psychology, and literature, but no agreement exists on their origin or nature. A bibliometric and systematic review of 775 articles from 1977 to April 2025, following PRISMA guidelines and using the Tree of Science method, shows that the United States, the United Kingdom, and Belgium lead in NDE research. Methodologies range from medical analyses of brain activity to psychological studies of reduced suicidal ideation and narrative analyses of language patterns. The theoretical landscape remains fragmented, highlighting a need for integrative frameworks. Future work should deepen medical and psychological understanding and examine NDEs' long-term effects on mental health and spiritual development.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Interest in near-death experiences (NDEs) has grown across disciplines such as medicine, psychology, and literature, yet no consensus exists on their origin or nature. This study presents a bibliometric and systematic review of 775 articles published between 1977 and April 2025, using PRISMA guidelines. Data was extracted from the Scopus database and analyzed with the Bibliometrix package in R. Additionally, the Tree of Science method was used to map citation networks and identify core contributions and research fronts. The United States, the United Kingdom, and Belgium lead in NDE research. Methodologies vary widely, encompassing medical analyses of brain activity, psychological outcomes like reduced suicidal ideation, and narrative approaches identifying common language patterns. Findings reveal a fragmented theoretical landscape, emphasizing the need for integrative frameworks. Future studies should deepen the medical and psychological understanding of NDEs and explore their long-term impact on individuals' mental health and spiritual development.