Healthtech Innovation Competition
From 200 participants to 3 winners — Building DynaDance to transform Parkinson's care in Thailand
Transforming Parkinson's Care in Thailand
Before my journey took me to Boston for the MIT Grand Hack, everything started here in Bangkok at the Siriraj x MIT Hacking Medicine 2024 event. Out of 200 participants, I was honored to be one of the three "Golden Ticket" winners selected to represent Thailand on the global stage.
This achievement was built on a project close to my heart and my profession: DynaDance, a comprehensive platform designed to bring the joy and medical benefits of movement to Parkinson's Disease patients.
Receiving the Golden Ticket award at Siriraj x MIT Hacking Medicine 2024
The Challenge: Parkinson's in Thailand
Parkinson's Disease is becoming a critical issue in Thailand. The number of patients has surged from 60,000 in 2010 to approximately 360,000 in 2022. As a physiotherapist, I see the struggles these patients face daily:
- Physical Decline: Limited activity leads to cardiovascular disease and premature death.
- High Costs: Effective dance therapy requires 3 sessions/week and can cost up to 32,000 THB per month.
- Caregiver Burden: Families face immense stress and lack specialized skills for rehabilitation.
Our Solution: DynaDance
Our team set out to create a fun, accessible solution that allows patients to get effective exercise consistently without leaving their homes. DynaDance is a gamified application that combines local culture with advanced technology.
AI-Powered Feedback
Using a smartphone camera, the app captures full-body video and provides real-time movement feedback and scoring.
Cultural Adaptation
Integrated local Thai songs like 'Prom Likit' to provide familiar auditory cues that resonate with elderly patients.
Accessible Design
Simple interface designed for caregivers and patients with low digital literacy to easily operate.
From Bangkok to Boston
Building DynaDance taught me that the best medical innovations aren't just about "curing" a disease—they are about improving the daily quality of life for patients. This mindset is exactly what I took with me to Boston, where I helped build CAPABLE to treat migraines.
MIT Grand Hack: CAPABLE Project
At the MIT Grand Hack in Boston, I continued my mission of using technology to make healthcare accessible. Our team developed CAPABLE, a wearable device for migraine treatment using trigeminal nerve stimulation (e-TNS). Headache disorders affect approximately 40% of the global population (3.1 billion people), and our solution provides a non-invasive, affordable alternative to existing treatments.
MIT Grand Hack Team: CAPABLE
Geethika Atmakuri
Pre-med Undergrad
Ronan Donovan
Software Developer
Marc Thirathada
Physiotherapist
Jaime Martin Lobo
Industrial Engineer
Eliot Behr
Harvard Medical Student
Peter Tremain
Mechanical Engineer
Project Presentations
Download the full presentation decks from both hackathons to learn more about our solutions and methodologies.
The Team Behind DynaDance
Thirathada Chinchapo
Physiotherapist
Kornrat Euchukanonchai
Designer
Kiartnarin Udomlapsakul
AI Engineer
Wannanong Ponpalanamai
Medical
Panwa Thammaraks
Research & Innovation
"Whether it is using Thai music to help a Parkinson's patient dance again or using a smart cap to stop a migraine, my mission remains the same: using technology to make healthcare accessible, affordable, and human."— Marc Chinchapo