Terminal Lucidity in a Pediatric Oncology Clinic

Roehrs, P., Fenwick, P., Greyson, B., Kellehear, A., Kothe, K., Nahm, M., Roe, C., Tassell-Matamua, N. and Woollacott, M. (2024) Terminal Lucidity in a Pediatric Oncology Clinic. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease. 212(1), pp. 57-60. 1539-736X.

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20468:62126

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[thumbnail of Roehrs_etal_WK_2023_Terminal_Lucidity_in_a_Pediatric_Oncology_Clinic]

Roehrs_etal_WK_2023_Terminal_Lucidity_in_a_Pediatric_Oncology_Clinic
Roehrs_etal_WK_2023_Terminal_Lucidity_in_a_Pediatric_Oncology_Clinic.pdf - Accepted Version

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Abstract:

The sporadic occurrence of unusually enhanced mental clarity before death has been documented over time and cultures, and reported in patients with and without neurodegenerative diseases, psychiatric disorders, and other neurocognitive deficits, as well as those with nonterminal and terminal conditions. Using a purposive sampling method via existing professional networks, clinical presentations of terminal lucidity in pediatric populations, as witnessed by pediatric oncologists and medical personnel, were solicited. We document clinical presentations suggestive of terminal lucidity in children, which were compiled by their attending physician at two large tertiary pediatric hospitals. Unanticipated and unexplained changes in mental clarity, verbal communication, and/or physical capability in the days and hours before the death of the pediatric patients were observed. Each patient's medical condition should not have allowed for such changes. The phenomenon known as terminal lucidity provides a conceptual framework for these deviations, although more systematic documentation and clinical research is required before definitive conclusions can be drawn.

Additional Information:

This is a non-final version of an article published in final form in Roehrs, P., Fenwick, P., Greyson, B., Kellehear, A., Kothe, K., Nahm, M., Roe, C., Tassell-Matamua, N., & Woollacott, M. (2023). Terminal Lucidity in a Pediatric Oncology Clinic. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 1-14. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1097/NMD.0000000000001711

Uncontrolled Keywords:

Terminal lucidity, pediatric oncology, clinical presentations, paradoxical lucidity, end-of-life, terminal illness, children

Creators:

Roehrs, P., Fenwick, P., Greyson, B., Kellehear, A., Kothe, K., Nahm, M., Roe, C., Tassell-Matamua, N. and Woollacott, M.

Faculties, Divisions and Institutes:

Faculties > Faculty of Health & Society > Psychology
Research Centres > Centre for Psychology and Social Sciences

Date:

4 January 2024

Date Type:

Publication

Page Range:

pp. 57-60

Journal or Publication Title:

Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease

Volume:

212

Number:

Number of Pages:

Language:

English

ISSN:

1539-736X

Status:

Published / Disseminated

Refereed:

Yes