My research focus has been on improving elderly care and in particular, the care of people with dementia using both pharmacological and psychosocial interventions. In my PhD thesis and later at the UMCG, I evaluated the use of psychotropic drugs in nursing home residents with dementia. Through my findings, I proposed recommendations to strengthen the involvement of informal and formal caregivers and health care professionals to make informed decisions regarding the selection of effective (non−) pharmacological approaches to challenging behaviours. In order for nursing homes to improve the involvement of these stakeholders, I developed together with implementation experts an online toolbox.  

I have continued this research and have contributed towards the understanding of elderly care over the last 5 years at UMCG. As project leader, I set up a multinational trial to study the effects of music therapy on the severity of depressive symptoms, well-being and quality of life in people with dementia living in a nursing home. For the first time in dementia care research, we collected hair and saliva samples on a great scale. The analyses of these samples will provide information regarding the stress level of the nursing home residents before and after music therapy. These measurements are objective and do not impose extra workload for formal caregivers.

In my research I use new technologies such as the MOSART+ application to raise awareness regarding the soundscape in nursing home staff to decrease challenging behaviors. Our randomized clinical trial proved that the intervention is effective and nursing staff appreciates the educational aspects of the intervention which facilitates the implementation of the intervention.