Events that lead up to a person's death are often mystifying. Histories and cultures are replete with near-death accounts of visions and dreams of the after-life and long gone relatives and friends. Some of these dreams and visions are also religious. Many profess to find comfort from such experiences and achieve a certain level of tranquility in their condition. A study of end-of-life dreams and visions (ELDVs) seeks to establish their connection with enhancing palliative care for individuals who have terminal illness and for those in the late years of life.
This research by scientists form Canisius College in New York utilised data from 66 individuals who have been receiving end-of-life care. These patients were monitored daily for the content and frequency of their ELDVs. Any discomfort or alarm associated with their dreams were also factored in. These observations were measured against proximity to death.
The findings, published in the Journal of Palliative Medicine, presented that the closer the patients came to death, the greater the frequency of ELDVs experienced. Interestingly, the comfort these dreams and visions provide also increased. In general, most of the subjects had at least one ELDV per day. Of these, half occurred in sleep. All ELDVs were characterised to be so vivid they seemed real.
According to the team, "The impact of pre-death experiences on dying individuals and their loved ones can be profoundly meaningful... These visions can occur months, weeks, days, or hours before death and typically lessen fear of dying, making transition from life to death easier for those experiencing them."
James P. Donnelly, author of the study, relates: "This study demonstrates that ELDVs are commonly experienced and characterized by a consistent pattern of realism and emotional significance. These dreams and visions may improve quality of life and should be treated accordingly."
