Near-Death Experience among Iranian Muslim Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Survivors.

Near-death experiences (NDEs) among Iranian Muslim survivors of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) share core features with those reported in Western theistic cultures, including flying, seeing light, transport to the beyond, out-of-body experiences, and life review in a religious context. Eight survivors in southeast Iran were interviewed in-depth using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach. Four main themes emerged from their accounts. The findings suggest that NDEs are experienced similarly across different theistic religions, indicating that medical professionals should be aware of these experiences when caring for Iranian Muslim patients.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Near-Death Experience (NDE) refers to a broad range of subjective experiences associated with forthcoming death. The majority of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) survivors experience NDEs. It seems that near-death events are experienced differently by people with different cultural and religious viewpoints. Thus, this study aimed to explain NDEs in Iranian Muslim CPR survivors. A qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological approach influenced by Ricoeur was used to understand the meaning of CPR survivors' NDEs. Eight survivors were interviewed in private. The study was conducted in southeast Iran. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were used for data collection, and probing questions were added when necessary. The duration of the interviews was between 40 and 65 min. According to Lindseth and Norberg, in the naive understanding phase, we read the interviews several times for achieving naive understanding. In the structural analysis phase, the whole text is divided into meaningful units. Finally, the researchers formulated a comprehensive understanding of the contextualization of the text. Four main themes emerged including 1) pleasing experiences along with flying and seeing light, 2) the experience of transport to the beyond, 3) out-of-body experience, and 4) reviewing life and memories in a religious context. Iranian Muslim CPR survivors, reported NDEs, much similar to those reported by survivors in Western countries with different theistic religions. This means that medical professionals dealing with these patients need to be aware of such experiences in Iranian Muslims.