The Parkinson’s Network East Westphalia-Lippe+, which was founded just under three years ago, is dedicated to addressing this issue. It meets at regular intervals to discuss the latest developments aimed at improving care for people in the region.
Strong turnout at the 9th network meeting
On 18 March 2026, the 9th network meeting of the Parkinson’s Network OstwestfalenLippe+ took place at the CENTRUM INDUSTRIAL IT (CIIT) with the active participation of the inIT Discrete Systems working group, led by Prof. Dr. Volker Lohweg. Project leader Prof. Dr. Christoph Redecker warmly welcomed the more than 80 guests from the region. The Head of the Department of Neurology and Neurogeriatrics at OWL University Hospital was delighted with the high number of participants, as this was not only the highest attendance since the Parkinson’s Network was founded three years ago, but also means that the Parkinson’s Network in OWL is now the largest in Germany.
Multidisciplinary exchange in working groups
At the meeting latest, various working groups once again came together for in-depth discussions:
Kickboxing for Parkinson’s
Freezing of Gait/Freezing of Speech
Digital care – What’s new with the PD-Assist app
Within this framework, participants were able to exchange ideas in multi-professional teams and gain fascinating insights into therapeutic care concepts and sports programmes.
The Discrete Systems working group, led by Prof. Dr. Volker Lohweg, is developing a Parkinson’s app in collaboration with Lippe Hospital, designed to make everyday life easier for both healthcare professionals and those affected. Patrick Gaudl, research associate in the working group, and Dr. Christoph-Alexander Holst, head of the research group, presented the current status of the app’s development and gathered valuable feedback from those present.
Patrick Gaudl emphasises: “The multi-professional exchange provides us with significant support in app development. It helps us understand what is truly important for people living with Parkinson’s.”
Plenary session and outlook
Finally, the results of the individual working groups were summarised and presented in the plenary session. Prof. Dr. Christoph Redecker concluded the successful 9th network meeting by expressing his sincere thanks to the participants and referring to the upcoming network meetings in 2026.