Dr Shirley NGAI Associate Professor
Programme Leader of BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy, PhD (HKPU), MScMed (Sleep Medicine) (USYD), MSc Epidemiology and Biostatistics (CUHK), BSc PT (HKPU)

Location QT504
Phone +852 2766 4801
mail shirley.ngai@polyu.edu.hk

Open Platform for University Scholars
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Biography Dr. Ngai obtained her bachelor degree in Physiotherapy from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. She worked as a clinician for years and later focused on research in cardiopulmonary area. Her PhD studies investigated the effect of Acu-TENS, an East-meets-West integrative therapy, on airway obstructive diseases. During her postdoctoral fellowship, Dr. Ngai continued research in cardiopulmonary area and explored the mechanisms of Chinese therapeutics and East-meets-West integrative therapy using Near Infrared Oxygenation (NIRO). In 2011 and 2013, Dr. Ngai was awarded Australian Endeavour Research Fellowship and Asian Pacific Society of Respiratory (APSR) short term research fellowship for pursuing research studies at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and University of Sydney for research studies specialized in airway obstructive diseases. She has published articles in international journals including Respiratory Physiology Neurobiology, Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, Evidenced Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.



Education and Academic Qualifications Doctor of Philosophy, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Postgraduate Diploma in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Diploma in Clinical Acupuncture, The University of Hong Kong, School of Professional and Continuing Education




Professional Qualifications Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
Registered Physiotherapist




Research Interests
Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy
Effect of Acu-TENS in chronic disease management
Exercise physiology and cardiopulmonary assessments in healthy and disease populations
Assessment of cerebral and tissue oxygenation using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy



Research Output

Publications
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