MULTI-CENTRE STUDY INTO THE RELATIONSHIP OF MIND, BRAIN AND CONSCIOUSNESS DURING CARDIAC ARREST

This study aims to investigate prospectively the incidence, features and aetiology of consciousness during cardiac arrest in 1500 cardiac arrest survivors by use of physiological and psychological tests as well as hidden targets to test the veridical nature of some of the reports of consciousness and out of body experiences. It is also hoped that data gathered from this study can also be used to investigate the neural correlates of near death experiences and the transformational change seen in patients who experience a state of consciousness during cardiac arrest

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCES FROM SURVIVORS OF NEAR DEATH ENCOUNTERS IN WESTERN COUNTRIES AND NON WESTERN COUNTRIES

The aim of this study is to compare the quality and character of NDE from western countries such as the UK, USA and Spain with those from non western countries such as in the Middle East.

THE LONG TERM EFFECTS OF DEATHBED PHENOMENA ON THE CARERS OF DYING PERSONS: A PROSPECTIVE INTERVIEW STUDY

The aim of the study, which we hope to carry out in collaboration with the Spiritual Care Department of St. Christophers, is to look prospectively at deathbed visions, death bed coincidences, and other phenomena which occur in the 24 hours before death and to examine their frequency, phenomenology, and spiritual significance for the carers/relatives of the dying. We hope to measure the effects of death bed phenomena on the physical mental and spiritual health of the carers one year after their bereavement.

DEATHBED PHENOMENA (DBP) IN DYING PERSONS - A PROFESSIONAL CARER INTERVIEW STUDY

The aim of the study is to look retrospectively and prospectively at deathbed visions, death bed coincidences, and other phenomena which occur in the 24 hours before death and to examine their frequency , phenomenology, and spiritual significance for the dying person and often for the relatives or carers. We also hope to gain an understanding of any differences between DBP and drug induced hallucinations. Following our pre-pilot study we are also interested in the spiritual training that professional carers are given in responding to DBP and what they perceive as their further training needs. A prospective study - a repeat one year later of the first study with the same professional carers - will allow us to estimate the incidence of DBP. We hope that the information gained will be useful to hospice workers and help to deepen their understanding of the spiritual needs of the dying.