Human-Centered Engineering & Design

In the ParkProReakt project, Fraunhofer FIT collaborates with medical institutions and universities to develop an integrated care model aimed at improving quality of life for Parkinson’s patients. A mobile app systematically collects motor and emotional health metrics, while a web dashboard supports healthcare providers by intuitively visualizing patient data for therapy planning. 

In the ParkProReakt project, involves researchers from Fraunhofer FIT work alongside partners from the University Hospitals of Marburg and Cologne, the Technical University of Central Hesse, and the University of Lübeck. The primary goal of the project is to enhance the quality of care for individuals with Parkinson’s disease by establishing a new, integrated care model that ensures comprehensive and interdisciplinary treatment. A clinical study is being conducted within the project to validate the effectiveness of this care approach.

Fraunhofer FIT's main responsibility in the project is a mobile application designed to accurately capture and document sensorimotor and emotional indicators of the disease's progression. Since the reliability of the clinical study, coordinated by University Hospital Marburg, heavily depends on regular patient engagement with the mobile app, user engagement strategies were of vital importance during the app design process.

In 2024, the project team focused on an extensive phase of user testing with Parkinson’s patients in the Hamburg and Gießen / Marburg regions. Researchers from Fraunhofer FIT performed on-site visits, systematically evaluating the mobile application under realistic everyday conditions. This testing aimed to refine usability and enhance user experience, ensuring that the app is practical and effective for daily use by patients.

Patient data collected through the app are securely stored on a server managed by the Technical University of Central Hesse, using the FHIRE standard. These data are subsequently made accessible to healthcare providers through a dedicated web dashboard. This platform enables continuous access to both current and historical patient health information, facilitating collaboration among medical professionals. Additionally, the dashboard supports healthcare providers in making informed, evidence-based decisions regarding therapeutic interventions and medication management. A significant focus during the dashboard’s development was placed on user-friendliness and clear, intuitive representation of complex health data.