Scientific research - effects of the Veder Method
The implementation and effectiveness of the Veder Method have been studied by professor R.M. Droës of the VU Medical Center and J.C.M. van Weert, PhD of the Amsterdam School of Communications Research. The study consists of three parts. The first one gives a scientific description of the Veder Method. Part two contains an evaluation of the implementation process at care and nursing homes and the third part describes the research into the effectiveness of the Veder Method on both elderly people with memory deficits and health care professionals who apply the Veder Method in their jobs. Here you can download the summary of this study (PDF).
The article Évaluation de la Méthode Veder was published in La Revue Francophone de Geriatrie et de Gerontologie of October 2011.
International Psychogeriatrics published an article titled Does theatre improve quality of life of people with dementia? in the November 2011 issue. Below, you can read the abstract.
Background: A new communication method, the “Veder method”, has recently been developed. Caregivers are trained to apply this method in a group activity (“living-room theatre activity”) for people with dementia in
which theatrical stimuli are used in combination with proven emotion-oriented care methods. The aim of this exploratory study was to evaluate the added value of the Veder method group activity compared to a regular
reminiscence group activity and to investigate whether professional carers can achieve the same effects with the Veder method as professional actors.
Methods: A quasi-experimental three-group design was used. Experimental group 1 (E1; n = 65) joined a living-room theatre activity offered by trained professional caregivers. Experimental group 2 (E2; n = 31) joined a living-room theatre activity offered by professional actors. The control group (n = 55) received a usual reminiscence group activity. Behavior, mood and aspects of quality of life were measured using standardized observation scales at three points in time: (T1) pretest; (T2) during the intervention and; (T3) post-test, two hours after the intervention.
Results: During the intervention, significant differences were found in favor of the group that was offered a living-room theatre activity by actors (E2) on different aspects of behavior, mood and quality of life. At posttest, people in E2 were more alert compared to the control group. Moreover, they recalled more memories and showed less socially isolated behavior compared to the control group.
Conclusion: This exploratory study shows that the Veder method has some clear positive effects on behavior and mood of people with dementia when applied by professional actors.
