In a study of 111 previously unconscious patients, I documented an increase in awareness of their environment when the patients were moved from bed to stretchers and other similar transfers. They still could not speak but they could hear and understand what was being said after being moved. As a hypnotherapist, I noticed clients lighten up their hypnotic state when being tested with arm movement. I noticed similar awakening situations with infants.
I cannot find any good description of either proprioception and/or the vestibular system stimulating awareness beyond knowledge of body location.
As a non-medic most of my research has been published from my home address in medical journals. I don't think this has been a disadvantage.
Your main problem will be that most scientists and clinicians haven't a clue about the vestibular system and so will not see the significance of your observations. On the other hand you can use this to your advantage by making sure you have read all the old literature on the topic (eg Schilder, Ayres). The better your "original" idea, the further back you have to go to find out who had thought of it first! The near death or out-of-body experience is likely of vestibular origin.
I was watching the Commonwealth Games Marathon live on TV last night. The Scottish leader by a long way was running very well until he suddenly started to weave and waver, eventually collapsing (and lying in a heap on the ground for many minutes with no medic in sight). The commentator diagnosed delirium. The obvious explanation to me was that he was dehydrated, the inner ear pressure had dropped, and hence his peripheral vestibular system was out of action. I do not think it necessary to postulate any primary brain dysfunction.
Addendum from Metro April 16th 2018
Callum Hawkins "first became disorientated". He "carried on for just over a mile -- despite having difficulty running in a straight line -- before falling".
Comment
Again, evidence for a vestibular neither motor nor cortical malfunction.
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