Janice Miner Holden

Enhancing Personal Wellness in Counselor Trainees Using Biofeedback: An Exploratory Study

The purpose of this study was to explore whether biofeedback-assisted relaxation training could reduce stress-related symptoms and enhance personal well-being in a group of counselor trainees enrolled in a basic counseling skills course. Treatment participants received ten sessions of weekly biofeedback-assisted relaxation training, whereas the control participants received no intervention. The treatment group showed, significant improvements in several symptom areas measured by the Symptom Checklist 90-Revised: physical complaints (Somatization), personal inadequacy (Interpersonal Sensitivity), confused thinking or alienation or both (Psychoticism), and the overall number and severity of symptoms (Global Severity Index and Positive Symptom Total). The control participants showed no significant improvements in any symptom areas. Biofeedback-assisted relaxation was shown to be an effective stress-reducing intervention for counselor trainees, which resulted in a greater sense of personal well-being.

'There is nothing paranormal about near-death experiences' revisited: comment on Mobbs and Watt.

In a recent article in this journal entitled ‘There is nothing paranormal about near-death experiences’, Dean Mobbs and Caroline Watt [1xThere is nothing paranormal about near-death experiences. Mobbs, D. and Watt, C. Trends Cogn. Sci. 2011; 15: 447–449Abstract | Full Text | Full Text PDF | PubMed | Scopus (21)See all References[1] concluded that ‘[t]aken together, the scientific evidence suggests that all aspects of the near-death experience have a neurophysiological or psychological basis’ (p. 449). We suggest that Mobbs and Watt explained ‘all aspects’ of near-death experiences (NDEs) by ignoring aspects they could not explain and by overlooking a substantial body of empirical research on NDEs. In a subsequent radio interview, Watt acknowledged that they had avoided looking at any evidence for veridical out-of-body perception, resulting in their being unable to evaluate whether or not there was empirical evidence of anything paranormal about NDEs (http://bit.ly/MITeGP). But if Mobbs and Watt did not consider the evidence for possible paranormal features, then their claim that there is nothing paranormal about NDEs is not evidence-based.Mobbs and Watt attributed out-of-body experiences to REM-intrusion and temporal brain lobe activation. However, near-death experiencers report REM-intrusion phenomena no more often than the general population, and NDEs occur under conditions that in fact inhibit REM [2xExplanatory models for near-death experiences. Greyson, B. et al. : 213–234See all References[2]. Electrical stimulation of the temporal lobe typically elicits frightening, distorted experiences quite unlike NDEs [3xExperiential phenomena of temporal lobe epilepsy. Gloor, P. Brain. 1990; 113: 1673–1694Crossref | PubMed | Scopus (253)See all References[3]. Mobbs and Watt attributed movement in NDEs through a tunnel toward a light to narrowing of the visual field from anoxia. However, blood oxygen levels of near-death experiencers have been found to be the same as [4xThe effect of carbon dioxide on near-death experiences in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors. Klemenc-Ketis, Z. et al. Crit. Care. 2010; 14: R56Crossref | PubMed | Scopus (23)See all References[4] or in fact greater than those of comparison patients [5xA qualitative and quantitative study of the incidence, features and aetiology of near death experiences in cardiac arrest survivors. Parnia, S. et al. Resuscitation. 2001; 48: 149–156PubMed | Scopus (90)See all References[5].Mobbs and Watt compared visions of deceased persons in NDEs to hallucinations in neurological disorders. However, hallucinations in these neurologic conditions involve only vision and are usually accompanied by fear and confusion, quite unlike realistic, interactive visions of deceased persons in NDEs, which are usually welcoming and often seen, heard, smelled, and touched [6xNear-death experiences with reports of meeting deceased people. Kelly, E.W. Death Stud. 2001; 25: 229–249Crossref | PubMedSee all References[6]. Some near-death experiencers report seeing deceased persons of whose death they had no knowledge or sometimes deceased persons they had never met. The accurate information acquired about the deaths of these deceased persons challenges the interpretation of these visions as hallucinations [7xSeeing deceased persons not known to have died. Greyson, B. Anthropol. Hum. 2010; 35: 159–171Crossref | Scopus (9)See all References[7].Current neurophysiological models of NDEs fail to explain lucid experiences that occur during cardiac arrest, when conscious experience should be fragmentary or absent. This problem is exacerbated in resuscitated patients who report perceiving events they should not have been able to perceive, yet are later confirmed. Among 107 published cases of such perceptions during NDEs, approximately 91% were completely accurate [8xVeridical perception in near-death experiences. Holden, J.M. : 185–211See all References[8].The near-death literature of the past four decades has moved beyond collection of anecdotes into rigorous scientific investigation. That investigation rightfully has included, and should continue to include, research into neurophysiological correlates of NDEs. However, scholars need to respond to all relevant data, not just data supporting the a priori assumption that NDEs must be reducible to known neurophysiology. In suggesting that there may be some evidence of paranormal features in NDEs, we are not suggesting that those features are supernatural or beyond scientific investigation. They may be paranormal in the sense of being difficult to explain in terms of the currently prevailing reductionistic framework. But we believe that they are entirely lawful and natural phenomena that can and should be studied by scientific methods, rather than dismissed without investigation.

Rationale and considerations for proposed near-death research in the hospital setting

Further research into the question of veridical perception during the “naturalistic” near-death out-of-body experience (nND OBE), that phase of the near-death experience in which the experiencer seems to be perceiving a normal earthly realm, would be of value to NDErs, their caregivers, and humanity in general. I propose a research procedure that targets visual perception during nND OBEs that occur in the hospital setting. I discuss unresolved issues in the design and implementation of such a procedure, and identify areas for further research.

Eternal Connection: An Exploratory Study of the Effects of Learning About Near-Death Experiences on Adult Grief

We examined the effectiveness of a near-death experience (NDE) psychoeducational group bereavement intervention in reducing distressing aspects and enhancing a growth aspect of grief among bereaved adults. Participants were 22 females and 2 males (2 African American, 3 Asian, 2 Latina/o, and 17 White non-Latina/o) ranging in age from 20 to 71, with a mean age of 35.3 years. In this experimental design, we randomly assigned 12 participants to the experimental group and 12 participants to the waitlist control group. Effect size findings based on Hogan Grief Reaction Checklist scores indicated modest to substantial benefits of the NDE learning module intervention for bereaved adults in the form of decreased panic behavior, blame and anger, and detachment and increased personal growth. Conclusions include that further research into the effectiveness of NDE-related psychoeducational programs with bereaved individuals is warranted.

Visual Perception During Naturalistic Near-Death Out-of-Body Experiences

This study attempted to ascertain the most appropriate content and placement of visual stimuli in a hospital-based study of the veridicality of out-of-body perception in the near-death experience (NDE), and the likelihood that a subject in such a study would notice, clearly perceive, and accurately recall a visual stimulus. Based on the questionnaire responses of 63 subjects who had near-death out-of-body experiences (ND OBEs), at least some of the respondents described sufficiently complete and accurate visual perception during the experience to warrant the pursuit of veridicality research in hospitals. Recommended stimulus content for such research includes a surface with intense color and lighting, and simple number and/or letter combinations. Stimuli should be as far below ceiling level as possible while maintaining double-blind criteria. Some characteristics of the individual NDE and NDEr may affect veridical perception during the ND OBE.

Unexpected Findings in a Study of Visual Perception During the Naturalistic Near-Death Out-of-Body Experience

A study (Holden, 1988) of visual perception during the naturalistic near-death out-of-body experience (nND OBE), that aspect of the NDE in which the experiencer seems to view normal physical surroundings from a vantage point outside the physical body, yielded some unexpected findings that contradicted or augmented previous research. The majority of respondents were able to estimate the duration of the nND OBE; a sizable proportion reported delay of recall of the nND OBE; and the vast majority reported receptivity to subsequent verification of nND OBE perceptions. Each of these findings is discussed relative to previous research and analyzed in light of the limitations of the current study. Implications for further research are discussed.

Risk Management in Hypnotic Recall of Near-Death Experiences

A substantial number of people facing physical and/or psychological crisis report having a near-death experience (NDE) involving a subjectively real experience of an alternate reality. Where NDE content is associated with positive emotions, benefit might be gained by hypnotic recall of the NDE, yet such recall might involve possible risk in the form of reactivation of the original crisis. In this article we describe a study involving hypnotic recall of positive NDEs by one male and five female subjects. We describe in detail some procedures to minimize risk, including a hypnosis protocol.

Combat Near-Death Experiences: An Exploratory Study

The purpose of this study was to add to the professional literature regarding combat near-death experiences (cNDEs) and to help clinicians and experiencers (cNDErs) recognize this phenomenon as an experience that is not indicative of mental illness. cNDErs were military personnel whose NDEs occurred during active combat or sequelae. Sixty-eight self-reported survivors of combat-related close brushes with death completed an online survey that included the Near-Death Experience Scale(1) (NDE Scale), the Life-Changes Inventory-Revised(2), and a few open-ended questions. Respondents were 20 cNDErs-participants who scored at least 7 on the NDE Scale-and 48 non-NDErs. Compared to NDErs from two methodologically similar studies, cNDErs scored lower on Bonferroni corrected t-tests than NDErs on the NDE Scale overall(3) (p < 0.0003) and on Affective and Transcendental subscales; they scored higher on the Cognitive subscale(1) (p < 0.0007). In Life-Changes Inventory-Revised total change and six of seven value clusters, cNDErs, compared to non-NDErs, scored in the same direction as numerous other studies of NDE aftereffects, but none of the differences were statistically significant and all reflected small effect sizes except total change and changes in spirituality that reflected medium effect sizes--a finding that corresponded to analysis of narrative responses.

Effects of Experiential Focusing-Oriented Dream Interpretation

This two-part study investigated the effects of a particular approach to dream interpretation. In the first part, the Dream Interpretation Effects Questionnaire (DIEQ) was developed to assess both quantitatively and qualitatively seven specific effects of Experiential Focusing-oriented dream interpretation. In the second part, the DIEQ was used along with a structured interview in a pretest-posttest control group design to examine the effects of Experiential Focusing-oriented dream interpretation. The results were, first, that the DIEQ proved to be highly reliable and, second, that Experiential Focusing-oriented dream interpretation demonstrated significant results. This study offers support for Gendlin’s assertion that an Experiential Focusing approach to dream interpretation facilitates constructive psychological change for the dreamer.

After-death communication and the biblical fruits of the spirit: An online survey.

In after-death communication (ADC), a living individual experiences direct contact with a deceased entity. Research has shown such experiences to be common and overwhelmingly beneficial. However, clients in counseling—particularly conservative Christian clients—have expressed reluctance, distress, rejection, and/or avoidance of such experiences, considering them evil or “of the Devil.” Using the Biblical litmus test for determining Holy Spirit as source of phenomena—whether they yield the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control—the authors conducted an Internet survey of ADC experiencers. Participants were 164 adults ranging from 21 to 86 years of age, with a mean age of 57.7; 85.4% female, 14.0% male, and 0.06% genderqueer/nonbinary; 93.3% White, 0.6% African American/Black, 1.2% Asian, and 4.9% multiracial/other; and 92.7% representing disproportionately every U.S. geographic region, and 7.3% living outside the United States. With their only or self-identified most impactful ADC in mind, they indicated the extent to which the ADC changed their sense of each of the fruits, with opportunity to provide narrative explanation of any changes. Results revealed answers skewed strongly in the direction of increasing their sense of the fruits, with only 0.4% of responses indicating any lasting decrease of a fruit. The authors discuss limitations, including a religiously/spiritually liberal-leaning sample, criteria for concluding whether the results indicate that ADC is “of the Holy Spirit,” suggestions for future research that the results seem strongly to warrant, and implications for counselors working with clients who report ADC and for religious scholars considering the spiritual source of ADC.