Thailand – Dentsu Thailand has partnered with Vajira Hospital to launch ‘Praykinson’, a voice therapy app designed to support Parkinson’s disease patients in managing their symptoms through guided prayer exercises.
The initiative responds to data showing that approximately one in every 100 elderly Thais are affected by Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological disorder that impairs muscle control, balance, and movement, with voice deterioration being a common symptom. While the condition has no cure, therapy has been shown to help manage and maintain symptoms.
Singing is a commonly recommended method to address voice degeneration, but many elderly Thai patients are unaccustomed to incorporating it into their daily routine. Drawing from the cultural insight that 75.9% of Thais engage in daily prayer, Praykinson offers an alternative—turning prayer into an interactive speech therapy tool that uses a familiar practice to help strengthen vocal ability.
Developed in collaboration with a programming partner, Dentsu Thailand led the app’s concept, design, and content creation.
Key features of Praykinson include a selection of familiar prayers based on the user’s faith, colour-coded text to guide rhythm and pace, a real-time EQ bar to help maintain voice volume, performance scores after eacah session to monitor progress, and daily reminders to encourage consistency.
Thanatat Boonmongkol, MD. Neurologist, Parkinson’s disease and movement disorders specialist at Vajira Hospital, shared, “Approximately 1 in every 100 elderly Thais are prone to Parkinson’s disease, a progressive condition that makes communication increasingly difficult over time. With over a century of serving the Thai people, we understand how meaningful it is for care to be both clinically sound and culturally familiar. That’s why Praykinson holds such promise.”
“By integrating the practice of prayer into speech therapy, it offers patients a way to manage their symptoms in a setting that feels natural and comforting. We’re optimistic about its role in improving everyday quality of life for patients across Thailand,” he added.
Future updates will introduce prayers from multiple faiths and secular content, with the goal of helping more Parkinson’s patients across Thailand rediscover their voices and strengthen connections with loved ones.
Krissda Kanittasoontorn, creative director at Dentsu Creative Thailand, commented, “At dentsu, we always aim to create work that resonates on a human level, work that understands and reflects the cultural fabric of our society. Praykinson began with a deep respect for Thailand’s spiritual traditions and the emotional realities of living with Parkinson’s. From insight to execution, every step was rooted in empathy.”
She added, “We’re incredibly proud to have transformed a cultural truth into a creative solution that empowers lives. We hope Praykinson becomes a source of strength and connection for patients and their families throughout Thailand.”
