Nachiappan Chockalingam

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Nachiappan Chockalingam, professionally known as Nachi Chockalingam is a British scientist, academic practitioner and expert in Clinical Biomechanics. He holds academic positions in the UK, Malta, and India, collaborating with researchers globally. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine and has been appointed to a panel of experts for the Research Excellence Framework. He serves on boards of international scientific societies, edits for multiple journals, and reviews for various publications and grant bodies worldwide. Professor Chockalingam's current focus is translational research, and he has been key in integrating allied health professionals into the biomechanics and medical engineering fields. An advocate for interdisciplinary research and gender equality, he actively supports students and early-career researchers. His involvement extends to charitable organisations, contributing to global efforts on healthy ageing and mobility-assistive technology. Professor Chockalingam has been engaged with the GATE (Global Cooperation on Assistive Technology) initiative for several years and has contributed to the development of World Health Organisation (WHO) standards for prosthetic and orthotic service provision. He was elected as a Fellow of the International Society of Biomechanics in 2023. He contributed to development of podiatric biomechanics in the UK and played a pivotal role in the establishment of the journals such as the Footwear Science [1] and is on the editorial panel for a number of scientific and clinical journals. [2]

Contents

Education

Chockalingam holds a BEng in Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering from Annamalai University, India. In 1990, he obtained an MSc in Biomedical Engineering Science from Dundee University before proceeding to Staffordshire University where he completed a PhD in Clinical Biomechanics.

Career and research

Chockalingam has international recognition in work across science, technology, engineering and medicine [3] [4] and has contributed extensively to synthesising scientific and clinical evidence. [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] He has experience in the academic, industrial and clinical sectors through his collaboration with external partners in commercial consultancy, international policy and non-governmental organisations. Whilst playing a substantial role in establishing research and academic governance procedures including the establishment of research ethics policy at Staffordshire University, Chockalingam has set up the Centre for Biomechanics and Rehabilitation Technologies. He reached the position of the most senior professor at Staffordshire University and established the current version of the Staffordshire University Professoriate and led it between 2013 and 2020. [14] Between 2016 and 2022, he has contributed to the NIHR Research for Patient Benefit Panel and serves in multiple other review panels of global grant awarding bodies including the EPSRC, MRC and the European Commission. He has been involved with learned societies such as the International Society of Biomechanics, International Research Society for Spinal Deformities and the Footwear Biomechanics Group at various levels of leadership.

Chockalingam has made extensive academic contributions to understanding adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. [15] [16] [17] He is a founding member of the Diabetic Foot Research Group and a visiting professor at the University of Malta. [18] . Chockalingam has contributed to the development of a culturally competent model of diabetic foot screening [19] at the primary healthcare level and has made important contributions to the identification of priority areas [20] for diabetic foot screening [21] and the provision of rehabilitation and assistive technology. [22] His current work focuses on policy areas related to Allied Health Professionals and telehealth. [23] [24] [25] [26] Recently, he was involved in the launching of a new policy brief to guide the creation of telehealth patient consultation guidelines and training for AHPs. [27] Chockalingam contributes to the developmental work on the provision of assistive technology in the ‘Global South’ [28] and continues to raise awareness on health inequalities and cultural competency in health screening.

At a national level, for REF2021, Chockalingam has been appointed to the Panel of Experts within Subpanel 24 - Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism. [29] He is also listed as an expert to the European Parliament in policy areas relating to the assessment of new and emerging technologies, and foresight on long-term scientific and technological trends. He is a trustee for Age UK Staffordshire, [30] Bionic Charity and recently Human Study AV. [31] He was involved in the development of a Field Ventilator in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Awards and recognition

As a Freeman of the City of London, he is involved with the activities of the Worshipful Company of Engineers. [32] He was presented with a Lord Mayor’s COVID-19 Livery Award for his work on the innovative Field Ventilator project. [33] He was recognised with a Honorary Fellowship of the Royal College of Podiatry in 2023. Honorary fellowship is bestowed upon individuals who have made a substantive and significant contribution to the advancement of the podiatric profession in any of the fields of clinical practice, education, service management or research. [34] He has also been conferred as an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. [35]

Publications

Chockalingam has numerous scholarly outputs which include peer-reviewed papers, [36] published abstracts and book chapters, invited and keynote presentations at international conferences, [37] national and regional meetings. [38]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shoe</span> Footwear

A shoe is an item of footwear intended to protect and comfort the human foot. Though the human foot can adapt to varied terrains and climate conditions, it is vulnerable, and shoes provide protection. Form was originally tied to function, but over time, shoes also became fashion items. Some shoes are worn as safety equipment, such as steel-toe boots, which are required footwear at industrial worksites.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scoliosis</span> Left-right asymmetry of the spines curvature

Scoliosis is a condition in which a person's spine has an irregular curve in the coronal plane. The curve is usually S- or C-shaped over three dimensions. In some, the degree of curve is stable, while in others, it increases over time. Mild scoliosis does not typically cause problems, but more severe cases can affect breathing and movement. Pain is usually present in adults, and can worsen with age. As the condition progresses, it may alter a person's life, and hence can also be considered a disability. It can be compared to kyphosis and lordosis, other abnormal curvatures of the spine which are in the sagittal plane (front-back) rather than the coronal (left-right).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Podiatrist</span> Medical professional devoted to the medical treatment of disorders of the foot

A podiatrist is a medical professional devoted to the treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. The term originated in North America but has now become the accepted term in the English-speaking world for all practitioners of podiatric medicine. The word chiropodist was previously used in the United States, but it is now regarded as antiquated.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ankle</span> Region where the foot and the leg meet

The ankle, the talocrural region or the jumping bone (informal) is the area where the foot and the leg meet. The ankle includes three joints: the ankle joint proper or talocrural joint, the subtalar joint, and the inferior tibiofibular joint. The movements produced at this joint are dorsiflexion and plantarflexion of the foot. In common usage, the term ankle refers exclusively to the ankle region. In medical terminology, "ankle" can refer broadly to the region or specifically to the talocrural joint.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plantar fasciitis</span> Connective tissue disorder of the heel

Plantar fasciitis or plantar heel pain is a disorder of the plantar fascia, which is the connective tissue that supports the arch of the foot. It results in pain in the heel and bottom of the foot that is usually most severe with the first steps of the day or following a period of rest. Pain is also frequently brought on by bending the foot and toes up towards the shin. The pain typically comes on gradually, and it affects both feet in about one-third of cases.

A functional spinal unit (FSU), or motion segment, is the smallest physiological motion unit of the spine to exhibit biomechanical characteristics similar to those of the entire spine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shoe insert</span> Removable foot support placed inside footwear

A removable shoe insert, otherwise known as a foot orthosis, insole or inner sole, accomplishes many purposes, including daily wear comfort, height enhancement, plantar fasciitis treatment, arch support, foot and joint pain relief from arthritis, overuse, injuries, leg length discrepancy, and other causes such as orthopedic correction and athletic performance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unequal leg length</span> Medical condition

Unequal leg length is often a disabling condition where the legs are either different lengths (structurally), or appear to be different lengths, because of misalignment (functionally).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pedobarography</span> Study of pressure fields between foot and a supporting surface

Pedobarography is the study of pressure fields acting between the plantar surface of the foot and a supporting surface. Used most often for biomechanical analysis of gait and posture, pedobarography is employed in a wide range of applications including sports biomechanics and gait biometrics. The term 'pedobarography' is derived from the Latin: pedes, referring to the foot, and the Greek: baros meaning 'weight' and also 'pressure'.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diabetic shoe</span> Shoes intended to reduce the risk of skin breakdown in diabetics

Diabetic shoes are specially designed shoes, or shoe inserts, intended to reduce the risk of skin breakdown in diabetics with existing foot disease and relieve pressure to prevent diabetic foot ulcers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pronation of the foot</span> Type of foot movement

Pronation is a natural movement of the foot that occurs during foot landing while running or walking. Composed of three cardinal plane components: subtalar eversion, ankle dorsiflexion, and forefoot abduction, these three distinct motions of the foot occur simultaneously during the pronation phase. Pronation is a normal, desirable, and necessary component of the gait cycle. Pronation is the first half of the stance phase, whereas supination starts the propulsive phase as the heel begins to lift off the ground.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David G. Armstrong</span> American podiatric surgeon and researcher

David G. Armstrong is an American podiatric surgeon and researcher most widely known for his work in amputation prevention, the diabetic foot, and wound healing. He and his frequent collaborators, Lawrence A. Lavery and Andrew J.M. Boulton, have together produced many key works in the taxonomy, classification and treatment of the diabetic foot. He is Professor of Surgery with Tenure and director of the Southwestern Academic Limb Salvage Alliance (SALSA) at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California and has produced more than 700 peer reviewed manuscripts and more than 115 book chapters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orthotics</span> Medical specialty that focuses on the design and application of orthoses

Orthotics is a medical specialty that focuses on the design and application of orthoses, sometimes known as braces, calipers, or splints. An orthosis is "an externally applied device used to influence the structural and functional characteristics of the neuromuscular and skeletal systems." Orthotists are medical professionals who specialize in designing orthotic devices such as braces or foot orthoses.

Children's feet are smaller than those of adults, not reaching full size until the ages of 13 in girls and 15 in boys. There are correspondingly small sizes of shoes for them. In poor populations and tropical countries, children commonly go barefoot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diabetic foot</span> Medical condition

A diabetic foot disease is any condition that results directly from peripheral artery disease (PAD) or sensory neuropathy affecting the feet of people living with diabetes. Diabetic foot conditions can be acute or chronic complications of diabetes. Presence of several characteristic diabetic foot pathologies such as infection, diabetic foot ulcer and neuropathic osteoarthropathy is called diabetic foot syndrome. The resulting bone deformity is known as Charcot foot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minimalist shoe</span> Shoes that approximate barefoot running

Minimalist or barefoot shoes are intended to closely approximate barefoot running or walking conditions in comparison to traditional shoes. Minimalist shoes are defined as providing "minimal interference with the natural movement of the foot, because of its high flexibility, low heel to toe drop, weight and stack height, and the absence of motion control and stability devices." Minimalist shoes provide more sensory contact for the foot on the ground while simultaneously providing the feet with some protection from ground hazards and conditions. Research shows that wearing a minimalist shoe can help improve running economy, foot strength and arch function.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diabetic foot ulcer</span> Medical condition

Diabetic foot ulcer is a breakdown of the skin and sometimes deeper tissues of the foot that leads to sore formation. It may occur due to a variety of mechanisms. It is thought to occur due to abnormal pressure or mechanical stress chronically applied to the foot, usually with concomitant predisposing conditions such as peripheral sensory neuropathy, peripheral motor neuropathy, autonomic neuropathy or peripheral arterial disease. It is a major complication of diabetes mellitus, and it is a type of diabetic foot disease. Secondary complications to the ulcer, such as infection of the skin or subcutaneous tissue, bone infection, gangrene or sepsis are possible, often leading to amputation.

Total contact casting (TCC) is a specially designed cast designed to take weight off of the foot (off-loading) in patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). Reducing pressure on the wound by taking weight off the foot has proven to be very effective in DFU treatment. DFUs are a major factor leading to lower leg amputations among the diabetic population in the US with 85% of amputations in diabetics being preceded by a DFU. Furthermore, the five-year post-amputation mortality rate among diabetics is estimated at 45% for those with neuropathic DFUs.

Katharina Schroth was a German physiotherapist known for developing the Schroth method to treat scoliosis.

Pierre Stagnara was a French spinal surgeon. He has been described as a "pioneer" in the study of spinal deformities, "one of the greatest figures of French spinal surgery." Stagnara was born in January 16, 1917 in Loriol-sur-Drôme, France. He studied medicine in the city of Lyon. During World War II he was drafted into the French army. After the war, he worked in a variety of hospitals throughout Lyon. In 1959 he became the Chief of the Centre des Massues and served in this position until his retirement in 1982. Whilst working at the institution he pioneered many orthopedic techniques. Including the non-surgical management of scoliosis.

References

  1. ↑ "Footwear Science". Taylor & Francis.
  2. ↑ "Nachiappan Chockalingam's Publons profile". publons.com.
  3. ↑ "Orthotics breakthrough helps improve overall mobility of children with cerebral palsy". News-Medical.net. 9 June 2020.
  4. ↑ "UK team develops Covid-19 field ventilator". The Engineer. 21 April 2020.
  5. ↑ Gatt, Alfred; Chockalingam, Nachiappan (1 January 2011). "Clinical Assessment of Ankle Joint Dorsiflexion". Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association. 101 (1): 59–69. doi:10.7547/1010059. PMID   21242472.
  6. ↑ Healy, Aoife; Naemi, Roozbeh; Chockalingam, Nachiappan (July 2013). "The effectiveness of footwear as an intervention to prevent or to reduce biomechanical risk factors associated with diabetic foot ulceration: A systematic review". Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications. 27 (4): 391–400. doi:10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2013.03.001. PMID   23643441.
  7. ↑ Aoife, Healy; Roozbeh, Naemi; Nachiappan, Chockalingam (30 June 2014). "The Effectiveness of Footwear and Other Removable Off-loading Devices in the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Systematic Review". Current Diabetes Reviews. 10 (4): 215–230. doi:10.2174/1573399810666140918121438. PMID   25245020.
  8. ↑ Needham, Robert; Stebbins, Julie; Chockalingam, Nachiappan (18 May 2016). "Three-dimensional kinematics of the lumbar spine during gait using marker-based systems: a systematic review" (PDF). Journal of Medical Engineering & Technology. 40 (4): 172–185. doi:10.3109/03091902.2016.1154616. PMID   27011295. S2CID   25110291.
  9. ↑ Behforootan, Sara; Chatzistergos, Panagiotis; Naemi, Roozbeh; Chockalingam, Nachiappan (January 2017). "Finite element modelling of the foot for clinical application: A systematic review" (PDF). Medical Engineering & Physics. 39: 1–11. doi:10.1016/j.medengphy.2016.10.011. PMID   27856143. S2CID   3779703.
  10. ↑ Bettany-Saltikov, Josette; Weiss, Hans-Rudolf; Chockalingam, Nachiappan; Kandasamy, Gokulakannan; Arnell, Tracey (2016). "A Comparison of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Following Different Treatment Approaches for Adolescents with Severe Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Systematic Review". Asian Spine Journal. 10 (6): 1170–1194. doi:10.4184/asj.2016.10.6.1170. PMC   5165010 . PMID   27994796.
  11. ↑ Eddison, N.; Mulholland, M.; Chockalingam, N. (1 August 2017). "Do research papers provide enough information on design and material used in ankle foot orthoses for children with cerebral palsy? A systematic review". Journal of Children's Orthopaedics. 11 (4): 263–271. doi:10.1302/1863-2548.11.160256. PMC   5584494 . PMID   28904631.
  12. ↑ Healy, Aoife; Farmer, Sybil; Pandyan, Anand; Chockalingam, Nachiappan (14 March 2018). "A systematic review of randomised controlled trials assessing effectiveness of prosthetic and orthotic interventions". PLOS ONE. 13 (3): e0192094. Bibcode:2018PLoSO..1392094H. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0192094 . PMC   5851539 . PMID   29538382.
  13. ↑ Hill, Matthew; Healy, Aoife; Chockalingam, Nachiappan (December 2020). "Effectiveness of therapeutic footwear for children: A systematic review". Journal of Foot and Ankle Research. 13 (1): 23. doi: 10.1186/s13047-020-00390-3 . PMC   7222438 . PMID   32404124.
  14. ↑ "Meet the Professors in exciting new lecture series". www.staffs.ac.uk. 10 April 2019.
  15. ↑ Romano, Michele; Minozzi, Silvia; Bettany-Saltikov, Josette; Zaina, Fabio; Chockalingam, Nachiappan; Weiss, Hans-Rudolf; Maier-Hennes, Axel; Negrini, Stefano (15 April 2009). Romano, Michele (ed.). "Exercises for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis". Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews: CD007837. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007837. hdl: 2434/721743 .
  16. ↑ Negrini, Stefano; Minozzi, Silvia; Bettany-Saltikov, Josette; Zaina, Fabio; Chockalingam, Nachiappan; Grivas, Theodoros B.; Kotwicki, Tomasz; Maruyama, Toru; Romano, Michele; Vasiliadis, Elias S. (17 October 2007). Negrini, Stefano (ed.). "Braces for idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents". Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews: CD006850. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006850.
  17. ↑ Bettany-Saltikov, Josette; Weiss, Hans-Rudolf; Chockalingam, Nachiappan; Taranu, Razvan; Srinivas, Shreya; Hogg, Julie; Whittaker, Victoria; Kalyan, Raman V (31 July 2013). Bettany-Saltikov, Josette (ed.). "Surgical versus non-surgical interventions in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis". Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews: CD010663. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010663.
  18. ↑ Malta, L.-Università ta'. "Members". L-Università ta' Malta. Retrieved 2021-11-29.
  19. ↑ Formosa, Cynthia; Gatt, Alfred; Chockalingam, Nachiappan (2016). "A Critical Evaluation of Existing Diabetic Foot Screening Guidelines". The Review of Diabetic Studies. 13 (2–3): 158–186. doi:10.1900/RDS.2016.13.158. PMC   5553765 . PMID   28012281.
  20. ↑ Formosa, Cynthia; Gatt, Alfred; Chockalingam, Nachiappan (December 2012). "Diabetic foot complications in Malta: Prevalence of risk factors". The Foot. 22 (4): 294–297. doi:10.1016/j.foot.2012.08.008. PMID   22981100.
  21. ↑ Formosa, Cynthia; Gatt, Alfred; Chockalingam, Nachiappan (April 2013). "The importance of clinical biomechanical assessment of foot deformity and joint mobility in people living with type-2 diabetes within a primary care setting". Primary Care Diabetes. 7 (1): 45–50. doi:10.1016/j.pcd.2012.12.003. PMID   23332418.
  22. ↑ "Global Report on Assistive Technology (GReAT) Consultation 2019". www.who.int.
  23. ↑ Leone, Enza; Eddison, Nicola; Healy, Aoife; Royse, Carolyn; Chockalingam, Nachiappan (December 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. 11 (12): e055823. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-055823. PMC   8718347 . PMID   34969656.
  24. ↑ Eddison, Nicola; Leone, Enza; Healy, Aoife; Royse, Carolyn; Chockalingam, Nachiappan (December 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. doi: 10.1186/s12939-022-01689-2 . PMC   9245876 . PMID   35773695.
  25. ↑ Eddison, Nicola; Leone, Enza; Healy, Aoife; Royse, Carolyn; Chockalingam, Nachiappan (30 June 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. doi: 10.1186/s12939-022-01689-2 . PMC   9245876 . PMID   35773695.
  26. ↑ Leone, Enza; Eddison, Nicola; Healy, Aoife; Royse, Carolyn; Chockalingam, Nachiappan (5 December 2022). "Do UK Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) have sufficient guidelines and training to provide telehealth patient consultations?". Human Resources for Health. 20 (1): 82. doi: 10.1186/s12960-022-00778-1 . PMC   9721053 . PMID   36471340.
  27. ↑ "New policy framework for telehealth unveiled by Staffordshire University researchers". EurekAlert!. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  28. ↑ Ghosh, Ritu; Healy, Aoife; Prabhune, A; Mallavaram, A; Raju, S; Chockalingam, Nachiappan (20 July 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: 1–7. doi:10.1080/10400435.2022.2095582. PMID   35857654. S2CID   250697519.
  29. ↑ England, Higher Funding Council of. "Panel membership - REF 2021". Higher Education Funding Council for England.
  30. ↑ "Welcome to Age UK Staffordshire". www.ageuk.org.uk. Retrieved 2021-11-29.
  31. ↑ "About us – Human Study".
  32. ↑ "Homepage". The Worshipful Company of Engineers.
  33. ↑ "Professor receives Lord Mayor's Award for COVID ventilator". www.staffs.ac.uk. 6 August 2021.
  34. ↑ "The Royal College of Podiatry". College of Podiatry. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
  35. ↑ "Royal College honours top clinical scientist". rcpsg.ac.uk. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  36. ↑ "ORCID". orcid.org.
  37. ↑ "Nachiappan Chockalingam".
  38. ↑ "Nachiappan Chockalingam's Publons profile". publons.com.
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