How can digital technologies support people with Parkinson's disease in their everyday lives? This question was addressed in a joint presentation by the Institute of Industrial IT (inIT) at TH OWL and the University Hospital OWL, Campus Klinikum Lippe, University Clinic for Neurology and Neurogeriatrics. Through an information stand and a series of presentations, these two strong partners showcased innovative approaches and practical solutions for digital healthcare, including the PD Assist app developed at inIT.
A diverse programme focusing on health and prevention
On Saturday, 5 July 2025, the 1st Lemgo Health Fair attracted numerous interested visitors to the Innovation Campus Lemgo. In the InnovationSPIN, they were greeted by a varied programme with information stands, specialist lectures and hands-on activities on the topics of health, prevention and well-being. There was something for all age groups.
Lecture block: Designing digital, networked and everyday care
Of particular interest was the joint lecture block on the topic of ‘PNOWL+ – New ways for ideal and comprehensive care,’ led by Prof. Dr. Christoph Redecker, Director of the University Clinic for Neurology and Neurogeriatrics, and Prof. Dr. Volker Lohweg, member of the board of inIT.
PNOWL+: A network for coordinated care
Prof. Dr. Christoph Redecker began by presenting the ParkinsonnetzwerkOWL+ (PNOWL+) – a regional care network that brings medical professionals, research institutions, patients and their families closer together. The aim is to provide coordinated, everyday care based on existing structures and digital solutions
PD Assist app: Digital support for medication intake
Christoph-Alexander Holst and Patrick Gaudl, research associates in the Discrete Systems working group led by Prof. Dr. Volker Lohweg, then presented the PD Assist app. The background to this is that people with Parkinson's disease often have to take a variety of different medications – sometimes several times a day. This results in complex medication plans, the correct implementation of which is crucial for the success of the treatment.
PD Assist offers digital support for this: the application consists of two components – an app for doctors to create and approve medication plans, and an app for patients to transfer these plans via 2D matrix code and activate automatic reminders to take their medication.
The live demonstration of the app met with great interest and provided a practical illustration of how digital tools can promote adherence to therapy and relieve the burden on those affected in their everyday lives.
Meaningful networking of health data
Finally, Volker Lohweg presented the ISyCARE innovation community, which is developing new, forward-looking approaches to healthcare in the OWL region. The aim is to close care gaps and strengthen the independence of those affected through socio-technical innovations. With the CareDataSpacesOWL starter project, inIT is testing the establishment of secure, cross-sector health data spaces while protecting patient data sovereignty.
Practical exchange at the information stand
Afterwards, the joint information stand of inIT and PNOWL+ offered the opportunity to discuss the topics presented in more detail. Interested visitors were able to test the PD Assist app for themselves on site. Frauke Wiegräbe, research associate to Prof. Dr. Volker Lohweg, Christoph-Alexander Holst and Patrick Gaudl were available to answer questions about the application and provided insights into its ongoing development.
The discussions at the stand demonstrated the great interest of visitors in everyday digital solutions for healthcare.
Strong partnership for improved healthcare
The contributions at the health fair exemplified how interdisciplinary research, medical practice and digital innovations can work together successfully. inIT and the University Hospital OWL, University Clinic for Neurology and Neurogeriatrics are working on practical solutions for future-oriented healthcare as part of PNOWL+, ISyCARE and other joint projects.
‘Research unfolds its full effect when it becomes part of everyday life – that's exactly where our projects come in,’ emphasises Prof. Dr. Volker Lohweg.
‘Only together can we shape digital healthcare – in an interdisciplinary, participatory and solution-oriented way,’ adds Prof. Dr. Christoph Redecker.
More about the ISyCARE project: isy-care.de
Information about ParkinsonnetzwerkOWL+: pnowlp.de
University Clinic for Neurology and Neurogeriatrics: klinikum-lippe.de/neurologie