Dr Aoife Healy

Associate Professor

School of Health, Science and Wellbeing

I am an Associate Professor within the Centre for Biomechanics and Rehabilitation Technologies. I graduated from the University of Limerick, Ireland with a BSc in Sports and Exercise Science.

Following this I completed a Masters in biomechanics at Dublin City University, Ireland and my PhD examining prescription footwear with a focus on diabetes and materials at Staffordshire University.

From 2011-2015 I was a Marie Curie Research Fellow on the EU funded DiaBSmart project.  I was awarded prestigious grant funding from the International Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO)/World Health Organisation (WHO) to complete a systematic review of prosthetic and orthotic services. 

Professional memberships and activities

  • Member of World Health Organisation Global Cooperation on Assistive Technology (GATE)
  • Member of the International Society of Biomechanics
  • Member of Footwear Biomechanics Group (International Society of Biomechanics)
  • Member of International Foot and Ankle Biomechanics
  • Member of the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics
  • Member of the Marie Curie Alumni Association

Academic qualifications

  • PhD (2015) Clinical Biomechanics, Staffordshire University
  • MSc (2009) Biomechanics, Dublin City University.
  • BSc (2006) Sport and Exercise Science, University of Limerick.

Expertise

  • Gait analysis
  • Plantar pressure measurement
  • Systematic reviews

Research interests

  • Mobility assistive technology
  • Diabetic footwear

Enterprise and commercial interests

I have extensive experience of collaborating with both UK and international academic and commercial partners. 

Postgraduate supervision

  • Literature review and research proposal
  • Gait Analysis
  • Diabetic Foot Biomechanics

Publications

Eddison, N., Healy, A., Buchannan, D. and Chockalingam, N. (2022) Standardised classification system for bespoke thermoplastic ankle foot orthoses. The Foot; 53: 101924

Ghosh, R., Healy, A., Prabhune, A., Mallavaram, A., Raju, S., and Chockalingam, N. (2022) Provision of rehabilitation and assistive technology services in a low resource setting during the COVID-19 pandemic and introduction of telehealth: service users’ and providers’ perspectives. Assistive Technology. (online ahead-of-print).

Eddison, N., Leone, E., Healy, A., Royse, C. and Chockalingam, N (2022) The potential impact of allied health professional telehealth consultations on health inequities and the burden of treatment. International Journal for Equity in Health; 21(1): 91.

Leone, E., Eddison, N., Healy, A., Royse, C. and Chockalingam, N. (2021) Exploration of implementation, financial and technical considerations within allied health professional (AHP) telehealth consultation guidance: A scoping review including UK AHP professional bodies’ guidance. BMJ Open 2021;11:e055823.

Eddison, N., Healy, A., Calvert S. and Chockalingam, N. (2021) The emergence of telehealth in orthotic services across the United Kingdom. Assistive Technology (online ahead-of-print).

Olarewaju, T., Healy, A. and Chockalingam, N. (2021) Barriers to Accessing Assistive Technology in Africa. Assistive Technology (online ahead-of-print).

Eddison, N., Healy, A. and Chockalingam, N. (2021) How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted orthotic services in the UK? Prosthetics and Orthotics International, 45(5): 373-377.

Hill, M., Healy, A. and Chockalingam, N. (2021) Defining and grouping children’s therapeutic footwear and criteria for their prescription: An international expert Delphi consensus study. BMJ Open, 11: e051381.

Chatzistergos, P. E., Healy, A., Balasubramanian, G., Sundar, L., Ramachandran, A and Chockalingam, N. (2020) Reliability and validity of an enhanced paper grip test; A simple clinical test for assessing lower limb strength. Gait & Posture, 81: 120-125.

Hill, M., Healy, A. and Chockalingam, N. (2020) Effectiveness of therapeutic footwear for children: A systematic review. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, 13: 23.

Eddison, N., Chockalingam, N., Healy, A., Needham, R. and Unnithan, V. (2020) Exploratory investigation into energy expenditure using tuned versus non-tuned ankle foot orthoses- footwear combinations in children with cerebral palsy. Journal of Prosthetics & Orthotics, 32(1): 14-23.

Eddison, N., Healy, A., Needham, R. and Chockalingam, N. (2020) The effect of tuning ankle foot orthoses-footwear combinations on gait kinematics of children with cerebral palsy: a case series. The Foot, 43: 101660.

Eddison, N., Healy, A., Needham, R. and Chockalingam, N. (2020) Does user perception affect adherence when wearing biomechanically optimised ankle foot orthosis – footwear combinations: a pilot study. The Foot, 43: 101655.

Healy, A., Farmer, S., Eddison, N., Allcock, J., Perry, T., Pandyan, A. and Chockalingam, N. (2020) A Scoping Literature Review of Studies Assessing Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Prosthetic and Orthotic Interventions. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 15(1): 60-66.

Chockalingam, N., Eddison, N. and Healy, A. (2019) Cross-sectional survey of orthotic service provision in the UK: does where you live affect the service you receive? BMJ Open, 9: e028186.

Healy A., Farmer, S., Pandyan, A. and Chockalingam, N. (2018) A systematic review of randomised controlled trials assessing effectiveness of prosthetic and orthotic interventions. PLoS ONE 13(3): e0192094.

External profiles

in the UK for Quality Education

Sustainable Development Goal 4, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2023

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021