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Emma O'Loughlin image 2021PhD, BSc(Hons) Physiotherapy
Senior Lecturer
Convener, fifth-year Musculoskeletal and Skin module

Email emma.oloughlin@otago.ac.nz

Research expertise

  • Musculoskeletal Medicine
  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament
  • The Female Athlete
  • Women’s Musculoskeletal Health throughout the Lifespan
  • Menstrual Health
  • Musculoskeletal Health and Cancer

Background

I earned my BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. After graduating I gained valuable experience completing rotations in Geriatrics, General Medicine, Neurology, and Sports Medicine at Changi General Hospital, Singapore. In 2015 and 2016, I had the unique opportunity to serve as the physiotherapist for the 3,000-mile 'Race Across America'. Following this, I relocated to Switzerland, where I specialised in musculoskeletal private practice, working with skiers in Verbier. In 2017, I moved to New Zealand, where I continued my career as a sports physiotherapist. Eventually, I transitioned to advisory and non-clinical roles at ACC, first as a Clinical Advisor and later as a Health Partner.

Research

I completed my PhD in 2023, which focused on a novel, female-specific anterior cruciate ligament rehabilitation programme. I am currently exploring women's experiences and their musculoskeletal health during breast cancer treatment in Aotearoa New Zealand. Additionally, I am investigating the role of female sex hormones in orthopaedic conditions such as adhesive capsulitis.

I have a strong interest in including female participants in my research and examining female-specific prevention, causation, and management of common musculoskeletal conditions. I am also accepting postgraduate students interested in researching these areas or related topics.

Teaching

  • Undergraduate: Common orthopaedic conditions, clinical joint examinations, musculoskeletal medicine
  • Postgraduate: Guest lecturer in AUT Master of Sport and Exercise Physiotherapy paper (female-specific rehab programmes)
  • Thesis supervision: Honours, Master’s, and PhD research

Memberships

International

  • Women in Sport and Exercise Academic Network (WISEAN network)

National

  • Menstrual Health Research Network
  • Physiotherapy New Zealand Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy and Pelvic Women and Men’s Health Special Interest Groups
  • National Council of Women of New Zealand

Publications

Darlow, B., Brown, M., Keenan, R., Hudson, B., Clark, J., Wilson, R., … Vincent, L., Simmonds, S., … O'Loughlin, E., … Grainger, R., Hood, F., McKinlay, E., … Abbott, J. H., & Stanley, J. (2026). Knee Care for Arthritis through Pharmacy Service (KneeCAPS) versus active control for knee osteoarthritis in Aotearoa New Zealand: A pragmatic community-based randomised controlled effectiveness trial. Lancet Regional Health: Western Pacific, 76, 102008. doi: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2026.102008 Journal - Research Article

O'Loughlin, E., & Hardaker, N. (2026). The menstrual cycle and injuries: The importance of knowledge and communication for health recovery. In H. Thorpe, M. Nelson, S. Zipp & A. Gibbons (Eds.), Palgrave handbook of menstruation studies in sport. (pp. 53-72). Singapore: Palgrave Macmillan. doi: 10.1007/978-981-95-8357-7_4 Chapter in Book - Research

Helu, T., O'Loughlin, E., Petley, W., & Popadich, A. (2025). “You receive the diagnosis, but your whānau have the cancer”: Patients' perspectives on breast cancer treatment in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand. New Zealand Medical Journal/Te ara tika o te hauora hapori, 138(1627), 16-27. doi: 10.26635/6965.7034 Journal - Research Article

Hickey, J., O'Loughlin, E., & Reid, D. (2025). Participants' experiences of a new menstrual-cycle phase-based anterior cruciate ligament rehabilitation programme: A post-hoc qualitative study. New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy, 53(2), 69-79. doi: 10.15619/nzjp.v53i2.470 Journal - Research Article

O'Loughlin, E., Reid, D., Sims, S., & Larsen, P. (2025). Menstrual cycle synchronised ACL rehabilitation. In F. Della Villa, M. Ricci & D. Susta (Eds.), Proceedings of the 32nd Isokinetic Medical Group International Conference: Football Medicine New Frontiers. Torgiano PG, Italy: Calzetti & Mariucci Editori. [Abstract] Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

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