Expanding Our Research – NDEs

The research faculty at the Division of Perceptual Studies are seeking grants and private funding to support the following research initiatives regarding the research into near death experiences. We thank you for your contributions to the UVA Division of Perceptual Studies.  Your generous donations make our on-going research possible.

• Detailed Case Studies of Near-death Experiences Occurring under Extreme Conditions
  In this study we are particularly interested in well documented cases in which a person recovered quite unexpectedly from a life-threatening medical condition in which certain death was predicted by their doctors. It would appears that their near-death experience had a protective effect against the usual outcomes of these medical situations.
• Near-death Experiences Statistical Modeling and Analysis
  This study will utilize the SPSS data base containing over a 1000 cases of near-death experiences that have been coded using over 300 variables and have been entered into SPSS. Statistical models and analyses will be utilized to explore patterns and trends in these cases.
• Near-death Experience Aftereffects Study
  This study will be looking at the profound and lasting, very personal changes experienced by those that have an NDE. Changes in attitudes, lifestyles, and personality often occur.
• Study of Cognitive Changes Associated with Near-death Experiences
  We are interested in revealing more information about the relationship between physical brain and consciousness. This study will serve to shed further light on this complex relationship.

The research faculty at the Division of Perceptual Studies are seeking grants and private funding to support the following research initiatives regarding the research into deathbed experiences and hospice studies. Numerous anecdotal reports have indicated that deathbed and hospice settings are replete with spontaneous unusual experiences that are profoundly relevant to the question of the survival of consciousness post physical death. Despite reports from family members and healthcare workers alike, very little systematic research has been done in this area-especially in the United States. Our goal is to extend the UVA DOPS research portfolio in this promising new direction.

• Deathbed Visions/Hospice Studies
  This study would be the first of its kind to systematically study reports of deathbed visions by family members, the person dying and healthcare workers within the context of the hospice setting.
• Hospice Follow-Up Study
  This study would be looking at apparent after-death communications to bereaved family and friends from recently deceased persons.
• Study of Deathbed Lucidity
  Often, close to the time of death, a dying person who has organic brain damage through dementia or other disease processes, can demonstrate unexpected mental clarity shortly before physical death.  We propose a systematic study of events and circumstances under which this occurs. We believe that a study of this type can further elucidate the nature of the relationship between mind and brain.