"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
"Chulalongkorn University sets the standard as a university of innovations for society and is listed in the World's Top 100 Universities for Academic Reputation, in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2021-2022."
