Facial masking is a condition experienced by 89% of people with Parkinson’s, according to the campaign, which deteriorates control of facial muscles and impacts speech. Patients can reduce the condition’s onset by practicing facial therapy, but few practice it.
“Scrolling Therapy” uses AI technology to allow people to use expressions such as smiling, frowning and sticking out one’s tongue as navigational controls on Facebook and Instagram—such as scrolling or swiping, for instance. The app is available in the Apple and Google app stores in English, Portuguese and Spanish. It tracks participants’ usage for 45 minutes a day, the suggested time for facial therapy.
“It is very difficult to sit in front of a mirror for 45 minutes a day and watch your facial expressions changing in front of your eyes,” said Sebastián Porta, offshore services director for Dentsu Creative Argentina and a Parkinson’s patient, who inspired the project. “Living with the disease is already difficult enough without literally facing it in the mirror every day. That’s why I felt very motivated to propose a technology that could support all patients through an entertaining activity, which is browsing social media.”