Academic Staff
Dr Shirley NGAI
Assoc. Head(RS) & Associate Professor
PhD (HKPU), MScMed (Sleep Medicine) (USYD), MSc Epidemiology and Biostatistics (CUHK), BSc PT (HKPU)
- QT504
- +852 2766 4801
- shirley.ngai@polyu.edu.hk
ORCID ID
SCOPUS IDBiography
Dr Shirley Ngai obtained her BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy and PhD from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Dr Ngai was the recipient of 2011 Australian Endeavour Research Fellowship and 2013 Asian Pacific Society of Respirology (APSR) short-term research fellowship for pursuing research studies specialised in airway obstructive diseases at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and The University of Sydney. Dr Ngai’s research interests include management of patients with chronic diseases, cardiopulmonary physiotherapy, exercise physiology and assessment.
Dr Ngai is enthusiastic in education. She is the principal applicant and co-applicant for more than US$1 million of teaching and learning grants to develop teaching innovation and integrate technology enhancement tools to enhance students’ learning and cater for their learning diversity in cardiopulmonary physiotherapy and clinical education. Dr Ngai is the recipient of several teaching awards including 2013/14 RS Departmental Outstanding Teaching Award, 2013/14 Faculty Award for Outstanding Performance in Teaching, 2016 UGC Teaching Award (Early Career Faculty Member) by the University Grants Committee, Second Prize of 2018 National Teaching Achievement Award (Higher Education) by the Ministry of Education in China, and 2019/20 President’s Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Teaching by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
In addition to her teaching and research leadership experience, Dr Ngai contributes to the professional services. She is currently Chairperson of the International Affairs and Publications Subcommittee of the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association, Associate Editor of Hong Kong Physiotherapy Journal, and the elected President of the International Confederation of Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapists (ICCrPT).
Education and Academic Qualifications
- Diploma in Clinical Acupuncture, The University of Hong Kong, School of Professional and Continuing Education
- Postgraduate Diploma in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
- Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- Doctor of Philosophy, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Professional Qualifications
- Registered Physiotherapist
- Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
Research Interests
Research Output
- Ngai SPC, Spencer LM, Jones AY, Alison JA. Acu-TENS reduces breathlessness during exercise in people with COPD. eCAM 2017; doi: 10.1155/2017/3649257
- Ngai SPC, Jones AY, Tam W. Tai Chi for Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2016, Issue 6. Art. No. CD009953. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD009953.pub2
- Ngai SPC, Spencer LM, Jones AYM, Alison JA. Repeatability of the endurance shuttle walk test in people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Clin Respir J 2015; doi: 10.1111/crj.12430
- Ngai SPC, Jones AYM, Jenkins S. Regression equations to predict 6-minute walk distance in Chinese aged 55-85 years. Hong Kong Physiotherapy Journal 2014; 32: 58-64
- Ngai SPC, Jones AYM. Changes in skin impedance and heart rate variability with application of Acu-TENS to BL13 (Feishu). J Altern Complement Med 2013; 19: 558-63
- Ngai SPC, Jones AYM, Hui-Chan CWY, Ko FWS, Hui DSC. An adjunct intervention for management of Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (AECOPD): Case report. J Altern Complement Med 2013; 19: 178-81
- Ngai SPC, Cheung RTH, Lam PL, Chiu JKW, Fung EYH. Validation and reliability of Chinese version of Physical Activity for Elderly Scale (PASE-C). J Rehabil Med 2012; 44: 462-5
- Ngai SPC, Jones AYM, Cheng EK. Lung meridian acupuncture point skin impedance in asthma and description of a mathematical relationship with FEV1. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2011; 179: 187-91
- Ngai SPC, Jones AYM, Hui-Chan CWY, Ko FWS, Hui DSC. Effect of 4 weeks of Acu-TENS on functional capacity and β-endorphin level in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A randomized controlled trial. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2010; 173: 29-36
- Ngai SPC, Jones AYM, Hui-Chan CWY, Ko FWS, Hui DSC. Effect of Acu-TENS on post-exercise expiratory lung volume in subjects with asthma - A randomized controlled trial. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2009; 167: 348-53
