Academic Staff

PolyU Scholars Hub

Prof. Priya KANNAN

Associate Professor

PhD (Otago, NZ), MPhty by research (Otago, NZ), BPT (CMC, IND)

ST532
+852 3400 3277
priya.kannan@polyu.edu.hk

PolyU Scholars Hub

ORCID ID

SCOPUS ID

Biography

Prof. Priya Kannan obtained her Master's (by research) and PhD degrees in Physiotherapy (Women's Health) from the University of Otago, New Zealand. Her research focuses primarily on conservative management of urinary incontinence, particularly neurogenic overactive bladder secondary to stroke and Parkinson’s disease, through brain stimulation. Her research areas also include mind–body interventions, biofeedback for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence among young, middle-aged and older women, and non-pharmacological management of chronic pelvic pain, including menstrual pain. She was involved in several projects funded by the Research Grants Council, including the General Research Fund and the Health and Medical Research Fund, evaluating Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for bladder dysfunction and biofeedback-assisted pelvic floor muscle training for urinary incontinence. Her work has been recognised internationally, particularly in Australia. Presentation of Prof. Kannan's work at a scientific conference led to her being named "Best New Researcher" at the Australian Physiotherapy Association Conference. She was the recipient of the Outstanding Presentation Award from the International Organisation of Physiotherapists in Pelvic and Women's Health.

Prof. Kannan was awarded the University of Otago International Research Master's scholarship to support her Master's study. She also received the highly competitive Otago University Doctoral scholarship for her PhD study. She has secured external grants from the Physiotherapy New Zealand organisation to support her research, as well as a New Zealand Federation of Graduate Women, Otago travel award.

Education and Academic Qualifications

Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy (Christian Medical College)
Master of Physiotherapy (University of Otago)
Doctor of Philosophy (University of Otago)
Certificate course on pelvic floor function, dysfunction and treatment (Toronto, Canada)
Clinical Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Certification Course (The Academy of Brain Stimulation)

Research Interests

Research Output

Kannan, P., Chapple, C. M., Miller, D., Claydon, L. S., & Baxter, G. D. Effectiveness of a treadmill-based aerobic exercise intervention on pain, daily functioning, and quality of life in women with primary dysmenorrhea: a randomized controlled trial. Contemporary Clinical Trials 2019;81:80-86. doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2019.05.004.
Kannan P., Winser, S. J., Lam, C, H., Leung C. H., Lam C. K., Garbien E. A., Leung H. Y. J. Effectiveness of physiotherapy interventions for improving erectile function and climacturia in men after prostatectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clinical Rehabilitation 2019;1-12 (published online). doi: 10.1177/0269215519840392.
Kannan P., Kwok-Kuen Cheung., Benson Wui-Man Lau. Does aerobic exercise induced-analgesia occur through hormone and inflammatory cytokine-mediated mechanisms in primary dysmenorrhea? Medical Hypotheses 2019;123:50-54. doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2018.12.011.
Kannan P., Brigitte Fung, Regina W. C. Leung, Ravindra Goonetilleke, Winser S. J. Association between high-heeled shoes of varied heel height and bladder neck elevation in women: An exploratory study. Footwear Science 2019;5:1-8. doi: 10.1080/19424280.2019.1588922.
Kannan, P., Winser, S. J., Fung, B., Cheing, G. Effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle training alone and in combination with biofeedback and/or electrical stimulation compared to control for urinary incontinence in men following prostatectomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Physical Therapy 2018;98(11):932-45.
Kannan, P., Winser, S. J., Goonetilleke, R. S., Cheing, G. Ankle positions potentially facilitating greater maximal contraction of pelvic floor muscles: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Disability and Rehabilitation 2018;7:1-9. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2018.1468934.
Winser, S., Kannan, P., Krishnamurthy, K., Tsang, W. Does Tai Chi improve balance and reduce falls incidence in neurological disorders? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Rehabilitation 2018;32(9):1157–1168. doi: 10.1089/acm.2017.0396.
Kannan, P., Chapple, C. M., Miller, D., Claydon, L. S., & Baxter, G. D. Menstrual pain and quality of life in women with primary dysmenorrhea: rationale, design, and interventions of a randomized controlled trial of effects of a treadmill-based exercise intervention. Contemporary Clinical Trials 2015;42:81-9. doi.org/10.1016/j.cct.2015.03.010).
Kannan, P., Claydon, L. S., Miller, D., & Chapple, C. M. (2015). Vigorous exercises in the management of primary dysmenorrhea: a feasibility study. Disability & Rehabilitation 2015;37(15):1334-1339. doi: 10.3109/09638288.2014.962108.
Kannan, P., & Claydon, L.S. Some physiotherapy treatments may relieve menstrual pain in women with primary dysmenorrhea: a systematic review. Journal of Physiotherapy (official journal of the Australian Physiotherapy Association) 2014; 60(1):13-21. doi:10.1016/j.jphys.2013.12.003.