Phenomenological memory characteristics and impact of near-death experience in critically ill survivors: Observations at discharge and after a 1-year follow-up.
Charlotte Martial, Pauline Fritz, Héléna Cassol, Olivia Gosseries, Bernard Lambermont, Benoit Misset, Anne-Françoise Rousseau
International journal of clinical and health psychology : IJCHP January 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijchp.2024.100478 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractOne year after a prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay, survivors who reported a near-death experience (NDE) retained vivid, stable memories with many phenomenological details such as visual features and emotions. Among 126 adult ICU survivors, 19 (15%) reported an NDE as identified by the Greyson scale. The most common NDE features were altered time perception, heightened senses, and life review; Greyson scores did not change over the year. One year later, 18% of the NDE group and 24% of the non-NDE group were less afraid of death. The findings suggest that clinicians should interview all ICU patients about their memories.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Prospective cohort study with 1-year follow-up Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 126 |
| Population | Adult survivors of a prolonged (>7 days) ICU stay (all etiologies) |
| Duration | 1-year follow-up |
| Topics | Near-death experience Philosophy of mind |
| Keywords | Critical illness Haut du formulaire Impact Memory |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key finding | NDE memories persisted with stable phenomenological characteristics over one year, and a minority of both NDE and non-NDE patients became less afraid of death. |
Abstract
It is not rare that intensive care unit (ICU) patients report unusual subjective experiences, ranging from a feeling of harmony with the environment to complex phenomena such as near-death experience (NDE). This 1-year follow-up study investigates the characteristics and potential global impact of the NDE memories recalled by ICU survivors. We prospectively enrolled 126 adult survivors of a prolonged (>7days) ICU stay (all etiologies), including 19 (15 %) who reported a NDE as identified by the Greyson NDE scale. The NDE group underwent a semi-structured interview one month later evaluating their memory characteristics and the associated life-threatening situation. One year after inclusion, all patients (regardless of whether they recalled an NDE) were contacted for a follow-up Greyson NDE scale assessment and questions about their ICU experience and opinions on death since discharge. The Greyson NDE scale revealed that the most frequently reported features were altered time perception, heightened senses and life review, and the Greyson total scores did not evolve over time. NDE memories persisted, with a consequent number of phenomenological characteristics (e.g., visual details, emotions). One year post-ICU, two patients (18 %) of the NDE group and 12 (24 %) of the non-NDE group were less afraid of death. Results emphasize the clinical importance of interviewing all ICU patients to explore any memory after an ICU stay.