Global Media Giant CNN Highlights Thai Researchers’ Groundbreaking Innovation in Stress Detection Through Sweat Analysis

Thailand’s pioneering medical innovation has captured global attention, as CNN featured an interview with Assistant Professor Dr. Chadin Kulsing from the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, and Dr. Patthrarawalai Sirinara from the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University. Together with Dr. Chavit Tunvirachaisakul, Assistant Professor Dr. Sira Sriswasdi, and Professor Michael Maes from the Faculty of Medicine, as well as Dr. Nuttanee Tungkijanansin from the Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, the research team developed an innovative technology that analyzes chemical markers in sweat to detect stress with high accuracy.

“Current mental health screening methods are often inadequate, and accessing psychiatric care is challenging due to the limited number of mental health professionals in Thailand. Additionally, traditional screening and diagnosis methods, which rely on interviews, are subjective and vary depending on the discretion of psychiatrists or psychologists. This can result in inconsistent or inaccurate diagnoses. Our aim was to develop a cost-effective, reliable, and efficient innovation to address these issues. Sweat analysis emerged as a promising solution because it is non-invasive, avoids the discomfort of blood sampling, and provides measurable, objective results with minimal error,” said Dr. Pattaravalai.

This cutting-edge innovation requires only a cotton swab to collect sweat samples from the underarms over 15 minutes. The collected sweat is then analyzed to detect stress-related chemical markers with remarkable precision. This method addresses the limitations of conventional screening, which relies on behavioral observation and psychiatric evaluation. It also helps alleviate the growing demand for psychiatric services amidst a shortage of mental health professionals. The research team tested the method on over 1,000 firefighters from 48 stations in Bangkok and more than 1,000 nurses from hospitals nationwide.

CNN’s feature on this breakthrough highlights the global significance of Thai research and its potential to transform mental health care. In an era of increasing mental health challenges worldwide, this innovation is a testament to Thai medical advancements, offering a practical solution to improve mental health and quality of life globally.

To learn more about this innovation, visit https://www.chula.ac.th/en/highlight/122925/.
Watch CNN’s coverage here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Y0AfQb_ftE    

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