PhD, 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
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. (2024). The effect of menstrual cycle phase-based rehabilitation for females following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A randomised controlled trial. New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy, 52(3), 219-235. Journal - Research Article
O'Loughlin, E., Reid, D., & Sims, S. (2023). The role of menstrual cycle phase-based resistance training for women post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A scoping review. Physical Therapy Reviews, 28(3), 211-222. doi: 10.1080/10833196.2023.2266320 Journal - Research Article
O'Loughlin, E., Reid, D., Sims, S., & Larsen, P. (2023). The effect of menstrual cycle phase-based rehabilitation for women following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A randomised controlled trial. Proceedings of the New Zealand Manipulative Physiotherapists Association (NZMPA) Biennial Conference. (pp. 30). Retrieved from https://www.nzmpa.org.nz Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract