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Assistant Professor

Shawn Leng Hsien Soh

Assistant Professor
PhD, Queen Margaret University, United Kingdom
Cluster:
Health and Social Sciences
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Biography

Shawn Soh Leng Hsien is a Assistant Professor within the Health and Social Sciences (HSS) Cluster and is heavily involved in academia, research, and professional practice. He has over twenty years of physiotherapy experience and is dedicated to advancing ortho-geriatric practices.

Here's a summary of his notable roles, contributions, and achievements:

Academic and Education Roles: Shawn teaches various subjects related to physiotherapy within the Health and Social Sciences Cluster, including musculoskeletal physiotherapy, manual therapy, exercise rehabilitation, and geriatric physiotherapy. He is also the Year 2 Physiotherapy Coordinator. Shawn engages with undergraduate and postgraduate students, sharing his expertise in physiotherapy and related topics. He earned his Master's in Manipulative Physiotherapy from the University of Queensland (Australia) and a PhD from Queen Margaret University (UK).

Editorial Positions: Shawn is actively involved in scholarly publications. He serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Frailty, Sarcopenia, and Falls. Additionally, he acts as a co-editor for a special topic titled "Insights into Falls Efficacy and Fear of Falling" under the Frontiers in Aging and Psychology journal. He is an invited peer-reviewer for over ten international journals and continues to do his best to help advance topic-relevant practices.

Research Contributions: Shawn has made significant contributions to physiotherapy research. He developed the Balance Recovery Confidence Scale, the world's first measurement instrument for assessing balance recovery confidence in older adults. This scale aims to gauge perceived reactive balance recovery abilities, providing a deeper understanding of the concept of fall efficacy.  Together with Dr Audrey Lim and physiotherapy academic colleagues, he started Singapore's first physiotherapy standardised patient program at Nanyang Polytechnic. He was also the physiotherapy lead for a multicentre project headed by A/P Liaw Sok Ying to develop Singapore's first virtual reality simulation programme to promote interprofessional learning among healthcare students.

Ongoing Research Interests: Shawn's research interests focus on providing evidence on the psychometric properties of fall efficacy-related measurement instruments and the effectiveness of related interventions. He has led or co-led completed projects totalling over a million dollars, indicating the significance and scale of his research endeavours.

Professional Practice: Shawn holds the position of Visiting Associate Academician at Singhealth. He is a lifetime member of the Singapore Physiotherapy Association and currently chairs the SPA Community SIG (Singapore). He is deeply involved in the Asian Falls network, connecting researchers and clinical experts to advance fall practice. He is also the Founder of Falls Efficacy.com.

SIT Appointments

  • Assistant Professor
    – Present
  • Senior Lecturer
    –

Education

  • PhD
    Queen Margaret University , United Kingdom
  • Doctoral Certificate in Researcher Enhancement and Development
    Queen Margaret University , United Kingdom
  • Master of Physiotherapy (Manipulative Physiotherapy)
    University of Queensland , Australia
  • Bachelor of Health Sciences (Physiotherapy)
    University of Sydney , Australia
  • Diploma in Physiotherapy
    Nanyang Polytechnic , Singapore

Achievements

  • Supervisor of Best Oral Presentation (Presenter: Ms Jillian Ong; Psychometric properties of a multidimensional falls efficacy scale in Singapore older adults using Rasch measurement theory), Seirei International Research Conference 2025
  • Supervisor of Best Student Oral Presentation (Mr Hannathon Tang; Exercise Interventions Addressing Falls Efficacy in Community-dwelling Older Adults: A Scoping Review), Singapore-International Physiotherapy Congress 2024
  • Best Oral Presenter for "Exercise interventions influencing falls efficacy in community-dwelling older adults can focus beyond balance confidence" (Paper no. OP16), Malaysia Physiotherapy Conference 2024
  • Best Oral Presenter for "Development and initial validation of the Balance Recovery Confidence scale" (Paper no.131), World Physiotherapy-AWP Regional Congress 2022
  • Supervisor of Best Scientific Student Poster (Category-Others), Nanyang Polytechnic Physiotherapy Research Seminar 2018
  • Team Excellence Assessment (GOLD)
  • Supervisor of Top Prize Student Award (Category-Virtual Reality/Telecare), Nanyang Polytechnic Physiotherapy Research Seminar 2017
  • Singapore Millennium Foundation Funding 2016-2019 ($551,759) in the area of pedagogy and learning
  • Innovation and Quality Team Award, Nanyang Polytechnic (GOLD)
  • Runner up, Health Innovation Technology Challenge
  • Recipient of 2015 National Day Award, The Public Service Medal (Pingat Bakti Masyarakat)

Professional Certification

  • Certificate in Teaching and Learning
    Nanyang Polytechnic, Singapore
  • ACSM Health and Fitness Instructor Certified
    American College of Sports Medicine, USA

Professional Memberships

  • Asia-Pacific Biomedical Science Educators Association (APBSEA), Member
    – Present
  • Registered Physiotherapist, Allied Health Professional Council (AHPC), Singapore
    – Present
  • Singapore Physiotherapy Association, Lifetime Member
    – Present

Corporate Experience

  • Physiotherapy advisor to Lions Befrienders
    Present
  • Peer Reviewer, BMC Geriatrics
    Present
  • Peer Reviewer, Quality of Life Research
    Present
  • Peer Reviewer, Frontiers in Public Health
    Present
  • Topic Editor, Insights into Falls Efficacy and Fear of Falling, Frontiers in Aging
    Present
  • Editorial Board Member, Journal for Frailty, Sarcopenia and Falls (JFSF)
    Present
  • Peer Reviewer, Journal of Frailty, Sarcopenia and Falls
    Present
  • Peer Reviewer, Physiotherapy Theory and Practice
    Present
  • Examiner for Allied Health Professions Council Qualifying Examination
    Present
  • Peer Reviewer, BMJ Open
  • Peer Reviewer, Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Plus
  • Peer Reviewer, European Geriatric Medicine
  • Peer Reviewer, Ageing International
  • Peer Reviewer, Aging Clinical and Experimental Research
  • Peer Reviewer, Journal of Clinical Nursing
  • Peer Reviewer, World Physiotherapy Asia Western Pacific Region Congress 2024
  • Member, NHG Domain Specific Review Board D
    –
  • Peer Reviewer, Frontiers in Aging
  • Visiting Associate Academician, SingHealth
    –
  • Peer Reviewer, Physical and Occupational Therapy in Geriatrics
  • Peer Reviewer, Aging and Health Research
  • Peer Reviewer, Hong Kong Physiotherapy Journal
  • Peer Reviewer, Systematic Reviews, BioMed Central
  • Peer Reviewer, Physiotherapy Research International
  • Peer Reviewer, Age and Ageing
  • Peer Reviewer, Nursing Open
  • Visiting Principal Physiotherapist, Alexandra Health Pte Ltd
  • Peer Reviewer, Frontiers in Psychology
  • Workshop Speaker on Peripheral Joint Mobility Level 1, Singapore Physiotherapy Association
  • 28th Southeast Asian Games Volunteer, Medical Services, Physiotherapist
  • Platform Chair, Musculoskeletal, World Confederation Physical Therapy Congress
  • Lead and On-site Program Reviewer, NYPi-Jiangsu-Temasek Foundation Project (Specialist Update Rehabilitation Therapist Course), Jiangsu, China
    –
  • Deputy Manager/ Senior Lecturer, Nanyang Polytechnic, Singapore
    –
  • Examiner for Ministry of Health Qualification Practical Examinations
    –
  • Invited presenter on "To tape or not to tape", Kolkata, India
    –
  • Trainer, Certificate in Advanced Physiotherapy Practice, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
    –
  • Trainer, Advanced Musculoskeletal Series Program, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    –
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Current Projects

  • Therapeutic Falls Efficacy
    – Present
  • Falls efficacy in community-dwelling older adults
    – Present
  • Discharge Outcomes in an Acute Inpatient Setting for Older Adults
    – Present
  • Development of a multi-dimensional falls efficacy scale
    – Present
  • Exploring the Gap between Falls Efficacy and Physical Performance in Seniors: A Study in a Singapore Community Hospital
    – Present

Past Projects

  • Physiotherapy approach to falls efficacy: A scoping review
    –
  • Use of Rasch measurement theory to develop a short form Balance Recovery Confidence scale
    –
  • Near-falls in Singapore community-dwelling older adults: a feasibility study
    –
  • Systematic review of falls efficacy measurement instruments
    –
  • Development of a Balance Recovery Confidence Scale
    –
  • Designing and evaluating a virtual hospital for collaborative practice across higher education institutions in Singapore
    –
  • Physiotherapy Standardised Patient Program as a preparatory clinical training model
    –
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Journal Papers

  • Koh, V. J. W., Matchar, D. B., Visaria, A., Lai, W. X., Goh, J. W., Poh, J., …, Soh, S.L.H. & Chan, A.W.M. (2025). A co-designed conceptual model for implementing falls prevention programmes for community-dwelling older adults in Singapore: A systems thinking approach. Age and Ageing, 54(2), Article afaf021. 

  • Soh, S.L.H., Ting, H.X.T., Ho, J.Y., Tan, S.L., Kayambu, G., Koh, K.C.G.K, Low, L.L., Tan, C.Y.F. (2025). Assessing falls efficacy in seniors: Important insights in hospital and community settings. JFSF. 10(1), 48-53.

  • Soh, S.L.H., McCrum, C., Okubo, Y., Farlie, M., Soh, S.E., Tan, M.P., Lien, C.T.C., Skelton, D.A. (2024). About Falls Efficacy: A commentary on “World guidelines for falls prevention and management for older adults: a global initiative". JFSF. 9(4): 281-285.

  • Tang, J.H.H.; Kum, C.; Teng, T.X.H., Ho, J.; Boonsinsukh, R., & Soh, S.L.H. (2024). Exercise interventions influencing falls efficacy in community-dwelling older adults can focus beyond balance confidence. Malaysian Physiotherapy Journal. 3(S1): 22.

  • Xu, T., Soh, S.L.H., Chua, C.P., Pearpilai, J., & Wee, S.L. (2024). Clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a multicomponent frailty management program “Say No To Frailty” in Singapore: A cluster-randomized controlled trial protocol. Contemporary Clinical Trial. 142; 107546.

  • Tang, J.H.H.; Kum, C.; Ho, J.; Teng, T.X.H., Boonsinsukh, R., & Soh, S.L.H. (2023). Study protocol: A scoping review of exercise interventions addressing falls efficacy in community-dwelling older adults. Figshare. DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.22014578.v2

  • Soh, S.L.H. (2022). Falls efficacy: The self-efficacy concept for falls prevention and management. Frontiers in Psychology. 13:1011285. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1011285

  • Soh, S.L.H. (2022). Measures of falls efficacy, balance confidence, or balance recovery confidence for perturbation-based balance training. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living. 4: 1025026. DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2022.1025026

  • Soh, S.L.H., Tan, C.W., Xu, T., Yeh, T.T., Abdul Rahman, F., Soon, B., Gleeson, N., & Lane, J. (2022). The Balance Recovery Confidence Scale. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice. DOI: 10.1080/09593985.2022.2135420

  • Soh, S.L.H., Lane, J., Lim, A.Y.H., Mujtaba, M.S., & Tan, C.W. (2022). Interventions and measurement instruments used for falls efficacy in community-dwelling older adults: a systematic review. Journal of Frailty, Sarcopenia, and Falls. 7(3):151-164. DOI: 10.22540/JFSF-07-151

  • Soh, S.L.H., Tan, C.W., Thomas, J.I., Xu T., Ng Y.L., & Lane J. (2021) Falls efficacy: Extending the understanding of self-efficacy in older adults towards managing falls. Journal of Frailty, Sarcopenia and Falls. 6(3):131-138. DOI: 10.22540/JFSF-06-131

  • Soh, S.L.H., Lane, J., Gleeson, N., Xu, T., Abdul Rahman, F., Yeh, T.T., Soon, B., & Tan, C.W. (2021). Validation of a new patient-reported outcome measure of balance recovery confidence (BRC) for community-dwelling older adults: a study protocol. Physical Therapy Reviews, DOI: 10.1080/10833196.2021.1938867

  • Soh, S.L.H., Gilmour, F., Lane, J., Asokan, S., Woan, K.L., & Tan, C.W. (2021). Constructing a measure of balance recovery confidence for older persons: content themes from different stakeholders. International Practice Development Journal.11;1(9).DOI: 10.19043/ipdj.111.009

  • Soh, S.L.H., Lane J., Soon B., Yeh T.T., & Tan C.W. (2021) Near-falls in Singapore community-dwelling older adults: a feasibility study. Pilot and Feasibility Studies. 7;25. DOI: 10.1186/s40814-020-00748-1

  • Soh, S.L.H., Lane J., Xu T.T.M., Gleeson N., & Tan C.W. (2021) Falls efficacy instruments for community-dwelling older adults: a COSMIN-based systematic review. BMC Geriatrics. 21;21. DOI: 10.1186/s12877-020-01960-7

  • Soh, S.L.H., Lane J., & Tan C.W. (2020) Researcher as instrument: A critical reflection using nominal group technique for content development of a new patient-reported outcome measure. International Practice Development Journal. 10;2(10).DOI: 10.19043/ipdj.102.010

  • Liaw, S.Y., Wu L.T., Soh, S.L.H., Ringsted, C., Lau T.C., & Lim, W.S. (2020) Virtual reality simulation in interprofessional round training for health care students: A qualitative evaluation study. Clinical Simulation in Nursing. 45:42-46 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecns.2020.03.013

  • Soh S.L.H., Tan C.W, Lane J., Gleeson N., Xu T. (2019) 90 Falls efficacy related instruments for community-dwelling older adults - Development and content validity: A COSMIN-based systematic review. Age and Ageing 48(Supplement_4):iv18-iv27. DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afz164.90

  • Liaw, S.Y., Wu L.T., Wong, L.F., Soh, S.L.H., Chow, Y.L., Ringsted, C., Lau, T.C., & Lim, W.S. (2019) "Getting Everyone on the Same Page": Interprofessional team training to develop shared mental models on interprofessional rounds. Journal of General Internal Medicine. 34;23:2912-2917.

  • Liaw, S.Y., Soh S.L.H., Tan K.K., Wu L.T., Yap J., Chow Y.L., Lau T.C., Lim W.S., Tan S.C., Choo H., Wong L.L., Lim S.M., Ignacio J., & Wong L.F. (2019) Design and evaluation of a 3D virtual environment for collaborative learning in interprofessional team care delivery. Nurse Education Today. 81; 64-71.

  • Lim, E.P.A. and Soh, S.L.H. (2017). Can physiotherapy standardised patient program be a comparable substitute for the traditional clinical education model in the early phase of clinical training? Transaction of ISATE 2017. 836-846

Conferences

  • Soh, S.L.H. (2024). Muscle health for falls prevention; With an introduction to therapeutic falls efficacy. Symposium Presenter. International Allied Health Conference 2024

  • Soh, S.L.H. (2024). Rethinking the approach of falls efficacy. Symposium Presenter. Singapore-International Physiotherapy Congress 2024

  • Tang, J.H.H.; Kum, C.; Teng, T.X.H., Ho, J.; Boonsinsukh, R., & Soh, S.L.H. (2024). Exercise interventions influencing falls efficacy in community-dwelling older adults can focus beyond balance confidence. Oral Presenter. Malaysian Physiotherapy Conference 2024

  • Soh, S.L.H. (2024). Therapeutic Falls Efficacy: Reframing perspectives; Revolutionizing practice. Oral Presenter. MAHSA International Conference on Health Sciences and Technology 2024

  • Tang, J.H.H., Kum, C., Ting, X.T.H., Ho J.Y., Boonsinsukh, R., Soh, S.L.H. (2024). Exercise interventions addressing falls efficacy in community-dwelling older adults: A scoping review. Oral Presenter. Eu Falls Festival, Malta.

  • Soh, S.L.H., Tan, C.W., Xu, T., Yeh, T.T., Abdul Rahman, F., Soon, B., Gleeson, N., Lane, J. (2022). Development and initial validation of the Balance Recovery Confidence scale. Oral Presenter. World Physiotherapy-AWP Regional Congress 2022.

  • Soh, S.L.H. (2021). Person-centred rehabilitation care. Oral Presenter. Singapore International Physiotherapy Congress 2021.

  • Soh, S.L.H. (2019). Falls efficacy related instruments for community-dwelling older adults: a COSMIN-based systematic review on development and content validity. Oral Presenter at the 1st World Congress on Falls and Postural Stability, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Malaysia.

  • Soh, S.L.H. (2019). Breaking the flight of a fall. Oral Presenter at the QMU Doctoral Candidates Association Annual Conference 2019, Queen Margaret University, UK.

  • Soh S., Teoh D., Loh J., Seng N., Sakeenah N., Foo V. (2017). Face to face vs tele-monitoring used in a group strengthening exercise program for community dwellers with knee osteoarthritis. Poster at World Confederation for Physical Therapy Asia Western Pacific Region 2017, Bangkok, Thailand.

  • Lim E.P.A., Soh S., Chen S.C., Cher S.H.J., Tan T.H., Choo X.L.R., He Z.F.A. (2017). Can physiotherapy standardised patient programme be a comparable substitute for the traditional clinical model in the early phase of training? Poster presentation at WCPT-AWP & PTAT Congress 2017.

  • Lim E.P.A., Soh S. (2016) Standardised patients as part of physiotherapy clinical education. E-poster presentation at 13th Asia Pacific Medical Education Conference (APMEC).

  • Lim E.P.A., Soh S., Poon Z., Goh J.Q., Chan M., Chan H.M., Chua E.L., Khairunnisa J., Liew Y.C., Ng M.T.S., Tahar R., Yap T.Y. (2015) The use of standardised patients as part of physiotherapy clinical education. Poster at World Confederation Physical Therapy, Singapore

  • Cheng, G. H., Sinniah, K., Lye, G.Y., Tan, W. L., Tan, Y. R., Soh, L.H. (2014). Effects of an unloader knee brace on muscle activity about the knee joint in healthy subjects. Poster at Singapore International Physiotherapy Congress, Singapore

Books

  • Soh, S.L.H. (2022). Development of a balance recovery confidence scale for community-dwelling older adults [Doctoral dissertation, Queen Margaret University]. Centre for Health, Activity and Rehabilitation, Queen Margaret University Research Repository. 
    https://eresearch.qmu.ac.uk/handle/20.500.12289/12151

  • Koh, S.L., An, Q., Chew, S.F., Kong, W.L.J., Soh, S.L.H. (2018). Effect of modified dance therapy (MDT) on dynamic balance in older adults with knee osteoarthritis. [Diploma dissertation AY2017/2018, Department of Physiotherapy]. School of Health Sciences, Nanyang Polytechnic NYP Library Item/Call Number: B00287488/RC931 O67 SHS 2018.

  • Lim, Z.X., Cheow, O.S.S., Lim, Y.K.V., Tan, W.Z.N., Megan, J.K.J., Soh, S.L.H. (2018). The impact of clinical education on physiotherapy students' readiness and perception towards interprofessional collaboration - a mixed methods approach [Diploma dissertation AY2017/2018, Department of Physiotherapy]. School of Health Sciences, Nanyang Polytechnic NYP Library Item/Call Number: B00287493/RM707 S55 SHS 2018.

  • Yip, J.R.J., Ang, J.L.J., Chua, S.S.C., Liaw, Y.P.T., Soh, S.L.H. (2017). Effects of telephysiotherapy consultation for elderly with knee osteoarthritis in a group-based community rehabilitation programme [Diploma dissertation AY2016/2017, Department of Physiotherapy]. School of Health Sciences, Nanyang Polytechnic NYP Library Item/Call Number: B00278438/RA645 O74 SHS 2017.

  • Chen, S.L.C., Tan, T.H., Choo, X.L.R., He, Z.B.F.A., Cher, S.H.J., Soh, S.L.H. (2016). Can physiotherapy standardised patient programme subsitute part of traditional clinical model? [Diploma dissertation AY2015/2016, Department of Physiotherapy]. School of Health Sciences, Nanyang Polytechnic NYP Library Item/Call Number: B00273987/RM706 SHS 2016.

  • Teoh, Y.T.D., Loh, H.Y.J., Seng, R.Y.N., Abdullah, N.S., Foo, A.M.V., Rajaratnam, B., Soh, S.L.H. (2016). The efficacy of telephysiotherapy in a group strengthening programme for community dwellers with knee osteoarthritis: a randomised controlled noninferiority trial. [Diploma dissertation AY2014/2015, Department of Physiotherapy]. School of Health Sciences, Nanyang Polytechnic NYP Library Item/Call Number: B00273985/RA645 O74 SHS 2016.

  • Goh, J.Q., Soh, S.L.H. (2015). Can physiotherapy standardised patient programme influence the communication skills of students? [Diploma dissertation AY2014/2015, Department of Physiotherapy]. School of Health Sciences, Nanyang Polytechnic NYP Library Item/Call Number: B00273672/RM706 SHS 2015.

  • Poon, Z.Q.J., Soh, S.L.H., Lim, A. (2015). Physiotherapy standardised patient programme (PSPP) to improve clinical skills competency of year 2 physiotherapy students. [Diploma dissertation AY2014/2015, Department of Physiotherapy]. School of Health Sciences, Nanyang Polytechnic NYP Library Item/Call Number: B00273671/RM706 SHS 2015.

  • Yusoff, A., Rajaratnam, B., Soh, S.L.H. (2015). Effects of an unloader knee brace on quadriceps muscle activity during sit-to-stand in young, healthy individuals. [Diploma dissertation AY2014/2015, Department of Physiotherapy]. School of Health Sciences, Nanyang Polytechnic NYP Library Item/Call Number: B00273673/RD561 SHS 2015.

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Teaching Modules

Physiotherapy, BSc (Hons)

  • PTY3801 - Honours Thesis Proposal
  • PTY4801 - Honours Thesis
  • PTY3901 - Clinical Practice Education Year 3
  • PTY4901 - Clinical Practice Education Year 4
  • PTY1013 - Foundation of Physiotherapy 3: Clinical Application
  • PTY1008 - Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (Extremities)
  • PTY2004 - Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (Spine)
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