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Assistant Professor

Sharon Fong Mei Toh

Assistant Professor
Doctor of Philosophy , Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR China
Cluster:
Health and Social Sciences
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Biography

Dr. Sharon Toh is a passionate and experienced occupational therapist specializing in neurological and physical rehabilitation. She holds practicing licenses in both Singapore and Hong Kong and earned her PhD and MSc in Occupational Therapy from the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Her research focuses on the application of wearable technology in stroke rehabilitation.


Sharon has published in respected journals, including the Journal of Telemedicine and Telerehabilitation, IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, Digital Health, Frontiers in Neurology, and the Journal of Neuroengineering and Rehabilitation. She has also held leadership roles, chairing the Scientific Committee for the National Occupational Therapy Conference in 2018 and serving on the Ministry of Health's Allied Health panel for Occupational Therapy from 2018 to 2020.


Her research interests lie at the intersection of technology innovation and physical rehabilitation, particularly in neurology and geriatrics. In 2008, she received the Health Quality Improvement Grant from the Ministry of Health for a project focused on reducing falls in elderly patients after hip fractures through occupational therapy home visits. Dr. Toh is dedicated to advancing occupational therapy by integrating technology to enhance rehabilitation for individuals with neurological conditions.
 

SIT Appointments

  • Assistant Professor
    – Present

Education

  • Doctor of Philosophy
    Hong Kong Polytechnic University , Hong Kong SAR China
  • Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
    Hong Kong Polytechnic University , Hong Kong SAR China
  • Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy)
    University of Sydney , Australia
  • Diploma in Occupational Therapy
    Nanyang Polytechnic , Singapore

Achievements

  • 1st runner up for Faculty 3MT competition
  • Agency of Integrated Care (AIC) Community Care Excellence Awards- Clinical Quality Improvement Award for Cognitive Spark” Opportunistic Screening of Cognitive Impairment of the Elderly, Agency of Integrated care
  • Belt and Road Scholarship (Research Postgraduate)
  • Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Scholarship
  • NHG Young Achiever Award, National Healthcare Group
  • Long Service Award, Alexandra Health Pte Ltd
  • Human Manpower Development Award for skills-based attachment at Royal Bournemouth Hospital, United Kingdom
  • Outstanding academic achievement and Postgraduate Scholarship scheme, Hongkong Polytechnic University
  • Health Quality Improvement Fund (HQIF) Award, Ministry of Health
  • “Best Research Paper” Award, Nanyang Polytechnic student conference
  • NHG Allied Health scholarship, National Healthcare Group

Professional Certification

  • Certified Physical Work Performance evaluation
    Ergo Science
  • Certified Neurodevelopmental Techniques (NDT) in advanced upper extremity course
    Neuro-developmental Treatment Association
  • Certified basic Neurodevelopmental Techniques (NDT) in management and treatment of Adults with hemiplegia
    Neuro-developmental Treatment Association
  • Certified basic and advanced Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF)
    Singapore General Hospital Postgraduate Allied Health Institute

Professional Memberships

  • Registered Occupational Therapist, Allied Health Professional Council, Singapore
    – Present
  • Registered Occupational Therapist (OT Part I), Occupational Therapy Board, Hong Kong
    – Present

Corporate Experience

  • Centre manager for Day Rehabilitation Centre, Yishun Community Hospital, NHG, Singapore
    –
  • Ministry of Health Allied Health OT panel member
    –
  • National OT Conference 2018 Scientific chairperson
  • Principal Occupational Therapist, 2017 to 2025, Yishun Community Hospital (YCH), National Healthcare Group (NHG), Singapore
    –
  • National OT Conference 2017 Scientific Committee
  • National OT Conference 2016 Scientific Committee
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Research Interests

  • Community rehabilitation
  • Rehabilitation and technology
  • Neurology
  • Health and wellness

Past Projects

  • Principal Investigator of project title: “Effects of a Wearable-Based Intervention on the Hemiparetic Upper Limb in Persons With Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial.”
    –
  • Co-investigator of project title: “Applying Virtual Reality in Cognitive rehabilitation for stroke survivors”
    –

    Funded by Centre for Medical Technologies & Innovations (CMTi), NHG, Singapore

  • Principal Investigator of project title: “'Smart reminder': A feasibility pilot study on the effects of a wearable device treatment on the hemiplegic upper limb in persons with stroke.”
    –

    Funded by Research Impact Fund, Research Grant Council, Hong Kong 

  • Co-investigator of project title: “Cognitive Spark” Opportunistic Screening of Cognitive Impairment of the Elderly”
    –
  • Principal Investigator of project title: “Preventing fall in elderly post-discharge through follow-up home visit”
    –

    Funded by Health Quality Improvement Fund, Ministry of Health

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Journal Papers

  • Toh, F. M., Lam WWT, Cruz Gonzalez P, Fong KNK. Effects of a Wearable-Based Intervention on the Hemiparetic Upper Limb in Persons With Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair. 2024;0(0). doi:10.1177/15459683241283412

  • Toh, F. M., Lam, W. W., Gonzalez, P. C., & Fong, K. N. (2024). 'Smart reminder': A feasibility pilot study on the effects of a wearable device treatment on the hemiplegic upper limb in persons with stroke. Journal of telemedicine and telecare, 1357633X231222297. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/1357633X231222297

  • Toh, S. F. M., Gonzalez, P. C., & Fong, K. N. K. (2023). Usability of a wearable device for home-based upper limb telerehabilitation in persons with stroke: A mixed-methods study. Digital health, 9, 20552076231153737. https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076231153737

  • Toh, S. F. M., Fong, K. N. K., Gonzalez, P. C., & Tang, Y. M. (2023). Application of home-based wearable technologies in physical rehabilitation for stroke: A scoping review. IEEE transactions on neural systems and rehabilitation engineering: a publication of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, PP, 10.1109/TNSRE.2023.3252880. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1109/TNSRE.2023.3252880

  • Leong, S. C., Tang, Y. M., Toh, F. M., & Fong, K. N. K. (2022). Examining the effectiveness of virtual, augmented, and mixed reality (VAMR) therapy for upper limb recovery and activities of daily living in stroke patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation, 19(1), 93. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-022-01071-x

  • Toh, S. F. M., Chia, P. F., & Fong, K. N. K. (2022). Effectiveness of home-based upper limb rehabilitation in stroke survivors: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in neurology, 13, 964196. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2022.964196 

  • Toh, S. F. M., (2013). A systematic review on the effectiveness of Tai Chi exercise in individuals with Parkinson's disease from 2003 to 2013. Hong Kong Journal of Occupational Therapy, 23(2), 69-81.

  • Toh, S. F. M., & Fong, K. N. (2012). Systematic review on the effectiveness of mirror therapy in training upper limb hemiparesis after stroke. Hong Kong Journal of Occupational Therapy, 22(2), 84-95.

     

Conferences

  • Toh, S.F.M. Effects of telerehabilitation using “Smart Reminder” on hemiplegic upper limb recovery in stroke survivors. The 30th Annual Congress of Gerontology. on 18th November 2023. Hong Kong SAR, China. [Oral Presentation] 

  • Toh, S.F.M. Effects of telerehabilitation using “Smart Reminder” on hemiplegic upper limb recovery in stroke survivors. Rehab Week 2023 from 24th to 28th September 2023. Singapore. [Poster Presentation] 

  • Toh, S.F.M. Effectiveness of Home-Based Upper Limb Rehabilitation in Stroke Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. The 12th Pan-Pacific Conference on Rehabilitation from 27th to 28th November 2021. Hong Kong SAR, China. [Oral Presentation] 

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