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Having a proven impact together

Research

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Why is research so important?

The first Tovertafel emerged from the PhD research of Tover's CEO and creator of the Tovertafel Hester Anderiesen Le Riche at TU Delft and VU University Amsterdam. Research still plays a central role in the development and evaluation of the Tovertafel.

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Getting to know the target group

If you really want to have an impact, you need to know the target group through and through. That is what Tover does. Our co-design method and the research we conduct give us a clear picture of our target groups and an understanding of how our product influences their behaviors and emotions. This allows us to develop a product that incorporates both care and enjoyment. Games that are not only fun to play, but also have a real impact on people with cognitive challenges. Together with care professionals, we improve their quality of life.

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Do our games really work?

We value scientific research and the importance of ensuring that what we create has beneficial effects. Therefore, our products are produced with the contribution of independent research partners. We have found that a joint approach leads to the best insights. Our research partners include universities and colleges from around the world as well as researchers who work for nursing homes, care institutions, foundations or educational institutions.

Co-design en Wetenschappelijk onderzoek staan centraal bij Tover

Tover conducts research together

We believe it is important that the Tovertafel has real, measurable effects on the well-being of people with cognitive challenges and their care staff, family and friends. That’s why all our games are developed in co-design: in collaboration with the target group and those around them. This way, we are able to create games that fit seamlessly with the needs and requirements of the target group, which also have a positive effect on the lives of people with a cognitive challenge.

Discover the power of co-design

Tover performs three types of studies

  • Effect studies

    Do the games and products do what we promise? Effect studies are used to assess to what extent the effects we aim to achieve are actually achieved.

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  • Exploratory studies

    Exploratory studies are used to explore new applications for our games and products. Are there any more people we can help with our games?

  • Implementation studies

    How can the Tovertafel be used as best as possible within the organisation and what are factors that influence this? This is the primary aim of implementation studies.

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Effect studies

What is the effect of the Tovertafel on nursing home residents with dementia? A small-scale evaluation

Research method

This 2017 study was part of the PhD of dr. Hester Anderiesen Le Riche, CEO of Tover. Six nursing home residents with dementia were observed in three situations: sitting in the lounge, drinking coffee and playing with the Tovertafel. The care staff observed more physical activity, more social activity, more joy and less sadness while playing with the Tovertafel than in the two other situations. The increase in physical activity and the decrease in sadness were statistically significant. We can therefore safely say that the effects of the Tovertafel on older people with dementia are real.

Conclusions

This study shows that…

  • the Tovertafel breaks through apathy
  • the Tovertafel reduces sadness in nursing home residents
  • the Tovertafel stimulates physical activity

This research is publicly available.

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Quality of life of nursing home residents with dementia before, during and after playing with the Tovertafel

Research method

In this study, Master student Leonie Bruil (Advanced Nursing Practice at the Arnhem/Nijmegen University of Applied Sciences) studied the changes in the quality of life of nursing home residents with dementia, before, during and after playing with the Tovertafel. A total of 34 residents were observed during 15-minute game sessions on five consecutive working days.

The sessions had direct, noticeable effects: after playing with the Tovertafel, the quality of life was higher than before playing with the Tovertafel. In addition, small to mediocre improvements were seen up to one week of playing with the Tovertafel. The long-term beneficial effects included reduced negative emotions, reduced restlessness, and a more positive self-image. That’s the impact of the Tovertafel.

Conclusions

This study shows that…

  • the Tovertafel improves the quality of life of people with dementia
  • the beneficial effects of the Tovertafel last up to one week of playing

This research is publicly available.

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What is quality of life for nursing home residents with dementia, and how does the Tovertafel contribute to this? A qualitative study

Research method

Student Manon Kuipers (Master Vitality and Ageing, Leiden University Medical Center) conducted a literature study on the dimensions of quality of life and tested her findings on care staff. In addition, Manon interviewed care workers about the effects of the Tovertafel on the quality of life of nursing home residents with dementia.

Some of the positive effects that were mentioned included stimulation, social interaction and enjoyment. The care workers also noticed a reduction in restlessness and negative feelings. Another way in which the Tovertafel was said to improve quality of life was by strengthening the relationship between care professionals and residents. This is also an important effect.

Conclusions

This study shows that…

  • the goals of the Tovertafel games consciously tap into the different dimensions of quality of life
  • the Tovertafel activates nursing home residents and promotes social interaction whilst bringing them joy
  • the Tovertafel has a positive effect on the quality of life of older residents

The Tovertafel: Evaluation of the impact of the activating game on the caregivers of people with dementia

Research method

In this study, Yunsheng Su – a Master student at University College London – studied the impact of the Tovertafel on the welfare of care staff and family members of people with dementia (at home and in a nursing home). Yunsheng took interviews and distributed a survey among care professionals to determine the effect of the Tovertafel on job satisfaction. The answers show that the Tovertafel gives care employees peace of mind and strengthens their relationship with clients. It also shows that the Tovertafel joy pleasure and positive emotions among residents, care workers, family members and partners. Quality care and enjoyment in one.

Conclusions

This study shows that…

  • the Tovertafel has a positive influence on carers of older people with dementia
  • the Tovertafel increases job satisfaction of care professionals
  • the Tovertafel gives players an enjoyable and positive experience

What is the impact of the Tovertafel on the well-being of nursing home residents, their care staff and their family members?

Research method

Four researchers from Portsmouth University in the UK analysed the impact of the Tovertafel on nursing home residents with dementia, their carer staff and their family members. They interviewed a total of 12 care professionals who worked in a nursing home.

The results show that playing with the Tovertafel improves the mental well-being of residents, helps to break through apathy, reduces restlessness and increases their engagement. This research also contributes to the evidence base which suggests that the Tovertafel improves the relationship between nursing home residents and carers, as well as the relationship between residents and family members.

Conclusions

This study shows that…

  • the Tovertafel reduces apathy and restlessness in older people with dementia
  • the Tovertafel improves the relationship between nursing home residents and their carers
  • the Tovertafel helps make visits from family members more meaningful

This research is publicly available.

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The Tovertafel helps increase physical activity and social interaction for adults with severe intellectual disabilities.

Research method

Swedish researchers Lena Talman and Christine Gustafsson of Mälardalen University carried out a study into the effects of the Tovertafel for people with severe intellectual (and multiple) disabilities. The research was conducted over a period of 11 months in a daily activities centre. The experiences of the care staff were analysed before, during and after the 11-month test period.

The research shows that the Tovertafel increases physical activity, concentration and social interaction between the clients during the game.  Cooperation during the game is stimulated. Some users now show their acquired knowledge in other activities as well: the so-called transfer effect. Examples of this include interaction with others and the ability to wait for their turn. In short, the Tovertafel has had a huge impact.

Conclusions

This study shows that…

  • the Tovertafel has a positive effect on the daily activities of adults with an intellectual disability
  • the Tovertafel increases social interaction, also outside the game sessions
  • the Tovertafel increases physical activity

This research is publicly available.

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What is needed to improve the frequency and quality of visits to people with dementia in nursing homes and which role can the Tovertafel play in this respect?

Research method

In this study, student Judith van Hove analysed the needs of family members when visiting an older person with dementia in a nursing home. She also examined the factors that influence the quality of the visit. To this end, Judith interviewed nine family members of nursing home residents with dementia. At the end of the interview, the interviewees were allowed to play with the Tovertafel.

The study shows that family members often experience their visit as confrontational and difficult. Positive emotions in the person with dementia, as well as interaction and response, were mentioned as needs. They also expressed the need to take part in an activity during the visit. All the family members were enthusiastic about playing with the Tovertafel and they described it as an added value for their visit. This shows that the Tovertafel also has a positive influence on clients’ surroundings.

Conclusions

This study shows that…

  • the Tovertafel increases interaction between family members and older people with dementia
  • the Tovertafel significantly improves the quality of visit
  • the Tovertafel fulfils the needs of family members during a visit
  • the Tovertafel makes visits to a loved one in a nursing home more enjoyable

Implementation studies

What do care workers need in order to use the Tovertafel to provide personalised care?

Research method

Lenka Besseling, a Master student of the Vitality and Ageing programme at Leiden University Medical Center, investigated the extent to which nursing home staff use the Tovertafel to provide personalized care. This qualitative study consists of 10 interviews, of which five with carers, four with activity specialists and one with a welfare worker.

The study shows that care workers see the Tovertafel as a way to improve the well-being of residents. Activity specialists and welfare staff use the Tovertafel as a fun activity to stimulate movement and to stimulate social interaction. The Tovertafel also helps create a peaceful atmosphere.

The care professionals also see opportunities for using the Tovertafel to provide personalized care, for example for evaluating behavior. It is important that activity specialists and welfare staff report their findings and share them with carers.

Conclusions

This study shows that…

  • the Tovertafel can, according to care staff, contribute to the provision of personalised care
  • the Tovertafel has a positive effect on the well-being of residents
  • the Tovertafel helps create a peaceful atmosphere in nursing homes

What factors affect the sustainable use of the Tovertafel in nursing homes?

Research method

Evert van Grol, Master student of Management Policy Analysis and Entrepreneurship in Health and Life Sciences at VU University Amsterdam, carried out a research on the sustainability of the Tovertafel in nursing homes. The word ‘sustainable’ is meant here in its literal and not environmental sense. In other words, the regular, long-term use of the Tovertafel.

Results of this study show that several factors influence the sustainable use of the Tovertafel. An important factor is the involvement of care professionals of all disciplines in the implementation of the Tovertafel. It is also important that the Tovertafel unit can be moved easily and shared with different departments. Finally, knowledge about the games and the effects on residents with dementia is important. Taking these factors into account will also ensure the long-term success of the Tovertafel.

Conclusions

This study shows that…

  • several factors influence the sustainable use of Tovertafel
  • optimisation of these factors will contribute to sustainable use of the Tovertafel

The Tovertafel. Learn about implementation.

Research method

Anne Huvenaars and Esme Hadra, two students of Residential Social Work and Pedagogical Services (SPH) at the Arnhem/Nijmegen University of Applied Sciences, carried out a research into the use of the Tovertafel at two locations of a care institution. Results of this study show which factors play a role in the successful implementation of the Tovertafel.

Key factors include a good introduction to the Tovertafel for all employees, and an implementation plan explaining the goals of the games. Another important factor is the presence of a person who has been involved in the purchase of the Tovertafel and feels responsible for encouraging the use of the Tovertafel among colleagues. This has ensures the success of the Tovertafel in multiple locations.

Conclusions

This study shows that…

  • an implementation plan plays a key role in the success of the Tovertafel
  • a thorough introduction of the Tovertafel increases frequency of use
  • care professionals must have insight into the goals to be achieved with the Tovertafel in order for its use to be successful
 
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