{"id":12248,"date":"2025-01-16T11:20:45","date_gmt":"2025-01-16T11:20:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/8d.nl\/co-creation-in-research-insights-and-outcomes\/"},"modified":"2025-12-17T13:12:11","modified_gmt":"2025-12-17T13:12:11","slug":"co-creation-in-research-insights-and-outcomes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/8d.nl\/en\/co-creation-in-research-insights-and-outcomes\/","title":{"rendered":"Co-creation in research: what does it deliver?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Case study: virtual reality in healthcare<\/a><\/h3>\n\n

Using a real-life example from our portfolio, in this article we show how co-creation can enhance academic impact and societal relevance. The focus is on our collaboration with researcher and biomedical scientist Lise Beumeler<\/a>, with whom 8D developed a VR game for recovery after being admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This development was part of Beumeler’s doctoral program and has recently, through follow-up research with the prototype, led to a new publication. A good time to reflect on the overall impact of a participatory approach. <\/p>\n\n

Case in brief<\/h3>\n\n

Recovering from an ICU admission can take months to years. In her doctoral research, Lise Beumeler, along with 8D, explored how gaming and technology can make this process more effective and enjoyable. Through a co-creative design process, virtual reality proved surprisingly well received by both patients and professionals. To this, we developed a VR prototype, tested at Leeuwarden Medical Center. In a virtual living room, patients solve puzzles with arm and hand movements, as recommended by physical therapists. The prototype contains four levels, tailored to different levels of mobility. <\/p>\n\n

Social impact<\/h3>\n\n

What has been the social impact of the participatory approach and developing a prototype together with the shop floor and patients? During our collaboration with Beumeler and Medisch Centrum Leeuwarden, we saw the following valuable “by-products” of co-creation in research. <\/p>\n\n

Increasing carrying capacity and confidence<\/p>\n\n

At the beginning of the study, we recommended low-threshold, form-free testing. ICU patients and healthcare professionals tried various games and hardware, such as Kinect and VR headsets. This participatory approach not only ensured workable hardware, but also increased trust and support among the target groups. Intensivist Carina Bethlehem notes, “If we had directly introduced a rehabilitation game with the Oculus Go 2 VR glasses, there probably would have been resistance. However, initial testing showed that virtual reality – with some guidance – resonated well with patients, including the elderly. That first step was crucial for support.” <\/p>\n\n

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Participatory approach as inspiration for peers<\/p>\n\n

During the process, much interest was shown in our design-oriented approach, which involves target groups early on. Instead of making a perfect product first, we collect creative input from the beginning. Johan (8D), Lise and student assistant Mirthe talked about this approach in the podcast Global Cast<\/em> from the University of Groningen. Listen back to the podcast below: <\/p>\n\n

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