Academic Staff
Prof. Shirley NGAI
Assoc. Head(RS) & Associate Professor
PhD (HKPU), BSc(Hons) PT (HKPU)
- QT513
- +852 2766 4801
- shirley.ngai@polyu.edu.hk
ORCID ID
SCOPUS IDBiography
Prof. Shirley Ngai obtained her BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy and PhD from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and received both the Australia Endeavour Research Fellowship and the APSR Short-Term Research Fellowship to pursue specialised studies in airway obstructive diseases at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and the University of Sydney. Her research interests span chronic disease management, cardiopulmonary physiotherapy, and exercise physiology. She is a Fellow of the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology (FAPSR) in recognition of her expertise in the respiratory field.
Prof. Ngai is deeply committed to education. She has secured over US$2 million in teaching and learning grants as principal or co-applicant, advancing innovations that enhance student learning and support diversity in cardiopulmonary physiotherapy and clinical education. Her teaching excellence has been recognised through numerous awards, including the 2016 and 2025 UGC Teaching Awards, the Second Prize of the 2018 National Teaching Achievement Award (Higher Education) in China, the 2019/20 and 2025 President’s Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Teaching, and the 2025 QS Reimagine Education Silver Award (Nurturing Employability). She is a Senior Fellow of Advance HE (SFHEA) and a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Educators (FAcadMed).
Prof. Ngai also contributes extensively to professional service, currently serving as Chairperson of the International Affairs and Publications Subcommittee of the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association, Associate Editor of the 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
