Dr Nichola Gale
Senior Lecturer: Physiotherapy; Research Theme Lead - Optimising Health through Activity and Lifestyles and Technology
- galens@cardiff.ac.uk
- +44 (0)29 206 87758
- 2F25a, Cardigan House, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XW
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Overview
I am Physiotherapy Lecturer with an interest in cardiorespiratory conditions. My research interests include the assessment and management of comorbidities in chronic lung disease, as well as the development and assessment of supportive interventions in people affected by cancer.
Within the School of Healthcare Sciences, I co-lead the Research Theme Optimising Health through Physical Activity and Lifestyles. I teach and supervise Undergraduate and Postgraduate Health Professionals, including PhD, Professional Doctorate and MSc students.
I Co-lead the South Wales Hub for the Council for Allied Health Professionals Research (CAHPR) and Wales Cancer Research Centre (WCRC), non-medical research subtheme, including the all-Wales AHP and Nurse cancer research network and board
Biography
2019 to Date Senior Lecturer
2017-19 Post Doctoral Research Fellow (RCBCWales) (Cardiff University)
2015 Postgraduate Certificate in Undergraduate Teaching and Learning (Cardiff University)
2011 PhD 'Systemic Manifestations of Chronic Respiratory Disease’ (Cardiff University)
2006 BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy degree (1st class) (Salford University)
Publications
2021
- Gale, N., Jones, U., Pierrepoint, S., Rickard, R. and Carter, J. 2021. Helping you help yourself (HYHY) for people with mild breathlessness: a service evaluation in Wales. ACPRC Journal 53(2), pp. 112-128.
2020
- Albarrati, A. M., Gale, N., Munnery, M. M., Cockcroft, J. R. and Shale, D. J. 2020. Daily physical activity and related risk factors in COPD. BMC Pulmonary Medicine 20, article number: 60. (10.1186/s12890-020-1097-y)
2019
- Gale, N. S. et al. 2019. Aortic pulse wave velocity as a measure of cardiovascular risk in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: two-year follow-up data from the ARCADE study. Medicina 55(4), article number: 89. (10.3390/medicina55040089)
- Gale, N., Wasley, D., Roberts, S., Backx, K., Nelson, A., Van Deursen, R. and Byrne, A. 2019. A longitudinal study of muscle strength and function in patients with cancer cachexia. Supportive Care in Cancer 27(1), pp. 131-137. (10.1007/s00520-018-4297-8)
2018
- Mohan, D. et al. 2018. Fibrinogen does not relate to cardiovascular or muscle manifestations in COPD: cross-sectional data from the ERICA study. Thorax 73(12), pp. 1182-1185. (10.1136/thoraxjnl-2018-211556)
- Gale, N., Albarrati Ali, M., Munnery, M., Hubbard, R., Talsinger, R., Cockcroft, J. and Shale, D. 2018. Frailty: A global measure of the multisystem impact of COPD. Chronic Respiratory Disease 15(4), pp. 347-355. (10.1177/1479972317752763)
- Albarrati, A. M., Alghamdi, M. S. M., Nazer, R. I., Alkorashy, M. M., Alshowier, N. and Gale, N. 2018. Effectiveness of low to moderate physical exercise training on the level of low-density lipoproteins: a systematic review. BioMed Research International 2018, article number: 5982980. (10.1155/2018/5982980)
- Fisk, M. et al. 2018. Surrogate markers of cardiovascular risk and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Hypertension 71(3), pp. 499-506. (10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.117.10151)
- Wasley, D., Gale, N., Roberts, S., Backx, K., Nelson, A., van Deursen, R. and Byrne, A. 2018. Patients with established cancer cachexia lack the motivation and self-efficacy to undertake regular structured exercise. Psycho-Oncology 27(2), pp. 458-464. (10.1002/pon.4512)
- Paljarvi, T. et al. 2018. Feasibility of consumer-level activity monitors: Attitudes, user experiences, and accuracy of activity data. Presented at: 7th International Society for Physical Activity and Health Congress, London, England, 15-17 October 2018. Human Kinetics, (10.1123/jpah.2018-0535)
2017
- Shindi, R. et al. 2017. Autoantibodies of IgM and IgG classes show differences in recognition of multiple autoantigens in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Clinical Immunology 183, pp. 344-353. (10.1016/j.clim.2017.09.020)
- Reagon, C., Gale, N., Dow, R., Lewis, I. and van Deursen, R. 2017. Choir singing and health status in people affected by cancer. European Journal of Cancer Care 26(5), article number: e12568. (10.1111/ecc.12568)
2016
- Gale, N., Albarrati, A., Munnery, M., Shale, D. and Cockcroft, J. 2016. Aortic stiffness and Body Mass Index (BMI) in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Artery Research 16(C), pp. 64-65. (10.1016/j.artres.2016.10.056)
- Ngandu, H., Gale, N. and Hopkinson, J. 2016. Non-invasive ventilation in older people with acute respiratory failure: review. European Respiratory Review 25(142), pp. 451-471. (10.1183/16000617.0002-2016)
- Albarrati, A. M., Gale, N., Enright, S., Munnery, M., Cockcroft, J. and Shale, D. 2016. A simple and rapid test of physical performance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 11(1), pp. 1785-1791. (10.2147/COPD.S106151)
- Reagon, C., Gale, N. S., Enright, S., Mann, M. and Van Deursen, R. 2016. A mixed-method systematic review to investigate the effect of group singing on health related quality of life. Complementary Therapies in Medicine 27, pp. 1-11. (10.1016/j.ctim.2016.03.017)
2015
- Gale, N., Munnery, M., Albaratti, A., Shale, D. and Cockcroft, J. 2015. The Framingham risk score in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Artery Research 12, pp. 27., article number: P6.11. (10.1016/j.artres.2015.10.295)
- Albarrati, A., Gale, N., Munnery, M., Saikia, S., Shale, D. and Cockcroft, J. 2015. Central arterial stiffness in COPD. Artery Research 12, pp. 36., article number: P8.8. (10.1016/j.artres.2015.10.330)
- Fisk, M. et al. 2015. The BODE Index prognostic score is an independent determinant of arterial stiffness in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Artery Research 12, pp. 40., article number: 1.6. (10.1016/j.artres.2015.10.007)
- Gale, N., Albarrati, A., Munnery, M., Tal-Singer, R., Cockcroft, J. R. and Shale, D. 2015. Predictors of COPD mortality, 2 year follow-up data from the ARCADE study [Poster Abstract]. Thorax 70(S3), article number: A84. (10.1136/thoraxjnl-2015-207770.156)
- Albarrati, A., Gale, N. S., Munnery, M., Cockcroft, J. R. and Shale, D. 2015. Distribution and prediction of 10-years risk for coronary heart disease in COPD [poster session]. Thorax 70(S3), article number: A86. (10.1136/thoraxjnl-2015-207770.159)
- Gale, N. S., Munnery, M., Chapman, N., Shale, D. J. and Cockcroft, J. R. 2015. The Framingham risk score in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Journal of the American Society of Hypertension 9(4), pp. e30., article number: P-26. (10.1016/j.jash.2015.03.069)
- Fisk, M., Gale, N. S., Mohan, D., McEniery, C. and Cockcroft, J. R. 2015. The BODE Index is an independent determinant of arterial stiffness in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Presented at: British Thoracic Society, London, UK, 02 - 04 Dec 2015.
- Saikia, S., Gale, N. S., Rodrigues, J., Wise, R. G., Bucciarelli-Ducci, C., Cockcroft, J. R. and Shale, D. 2015. A novel way of assessing pulmonary artery stiffness in COPD using cardiac MRI. Presented at: British Thoracic Society, London, UK, 02 -04 Dec 2015.
2014
- Gale, N. S., Albarrati, A., Munnery, M., Munnery, I., Tal-Singer, R., Cockcroft, J. R. and Shale, D. 2014. M143 progression of central arterial stiffness in copd after 2 years of observation. Thorax 69(Suppl), pp. A214-A215. (10.1136/thoraxjnl-2014-206260.438)
- Albarrati, A. et al. 2014. M139 Frailty and premature cardiovascular ageing in Copd. Thorax 69(Suppl), pp. A212-A213. (10.1136/thoraxjnl-2014-206260.434)
- Gale, N. et al. 2014. Assessment of risk in chronic airways disease evaluation (ARCADE): Protocol and preliminary data. Chronic Respiratory Disease 11(4), pp. 199-207. (10.1177/1479972314546765)
- Mohan, D. et al. 2014. Evaluating the role of inflammation in chronic airways disease: The ERICA study. COPD: Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 11(5), pp. 552-559. (10.3109/15412555.2014.898031)
- Scuteri, A. et al. 2014. Arterial stiffness and influences of the metabolic syndrome: a cross-countries study. Atherosclerosis 233(2), pp. 654-660. (10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2014.01.041)
- Albarrati, A. M. et al. 2014. Rapid progression of central arterial stiffness in copd: preliminary 2 year follow-up data from the ARCADE study. Journal of the American Society of Hypertension 8(4), pp. e4-e5. (10.1016/j.jash.2014.03.013)
- Reagon, C., Gale, N., Dow, R., Lewis, I. and Van Deursen, R. W. M. 2014. A research study to investigate the effect of choral singing on quality of life of people affected by cancer. Presented at: Science of Singing Health and Wellbeing Symposium, Royal College of Music, London, UK, 9-10 Sept 2014. pp. 505-509.
2013
- Gale, N. S., Albarrati, A., Munnery, I. C., Munnery, M., Cockcroft, J. R. and Shale, D. 2013. The clinical application of the combined assessment of COPD. Presented at: Airways Vista, Seoul, South Korea, 28 - 31 March 2013.
- Gale, N. S., Albarrati, A., Munnery, I. C., Munnery, M., Cockcroft, J. R. and Shale, D. 2013. Obesity and impairments in chronic obstruction pulmonary disease (COPD). Presented at: European Respiratory Society Annual Congress 2013, Barcelona, Spain, 7-11 September 2013.
- Gale, N. S. et al. 2013. Evaluation of the role of inflammation in chronic airways disease (ERICA): Midpoint evaluation. Presented at: European Respiratory Society Annual Congress 2013, Barcelona, Spain, 7-11 September 2013.
- Gale, N., Albarrati, A., Munnery, I., Munnery, M., Cockcroft, J. . R. and Shale, D. 2013. M19 The impact of co-morbidities on physical function and health status in chronic obstruction pulmonary disease (COPD). Thorax 68(Suppl), article number: A203. (10.1136/thoraxjnl-2013-204457.429)
2012
- Gale, N., Bolton, C. E., Duckers, J. M., Enright, S., Cockcroft, J. R. and Shale, D. 2012. Systemic co-morbidities in bronchiectasis. Chronic Respiratory Disease 9(4), pp. 231-238. (10.1177/1479972312459973)
- Gale, N. S. et al. 2012. Assessment of risk in chronic airways disease evaluation (ARCADE) [Abstract]. The Journal of Clinical Hypertension 14(S1) (10.1111/j.1751-7176.2011.00665.x)
- Gale, N., Enright, S., Reagon, C., Lewis, I. and Van Deursen, R. W. M. 2012. A pilot investigation of quality of life and lung function following choral singing in cancer survivors and their carers. ecancermedicalscience 6, article number: 261. (10.3332/ecancer.2012.261)
- Gale, N. S. et al. 2012. P75 Physical impairment and frailty in patients with Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease (COPD)[Poster]. Thorax 67(S2), pp. A96. (10.1136/thoraxjnl-2012-202678.317)
- Albarrati, A. et al. 2012. P74 A novel measure of physical exercise capacity in COPD [Poster]. Thorax 67(S2), pp. A96. (10.1136/thoraxjnl-2012-202678.316)
2011
- Gale, N. S., Duckers, J., Enright, S., Cockcroft, J. R., Shale, D. and Bolton, C. E. 2011. Does pulmonary rehabilitation address cardiovascular risk factors in patients with COPD?. BMC Pulmonary Medicine 11(1), article number: 20. (10.1186/1471-2466-11-20)
2010
- Duckers, J., Shale, D., Stockley, R. A., Gale, N. S., Evans, B. A. J., Cockcroft, J. R. and Bolton, C. E. 2010. Cardiovascular and musculoskeletal co-morbidities in patients with alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency. Respiratory Research 11(1), article number: 173. (10.1186/1465-9921-11-173)
- Gale, N. S., Lewis, I., Enright, S. and Van Deursen, R. W. M. 2010. The effect of choral singing on quality of life and lung function in cancer survivors and their carers. Presented at: National Cancer Research Institute Conference, Liverpool, November 2010.
- Gale, N. S., Duckers, J. M., Munnery, M., Enright, S. and Shale, D. 2010. P241 Functional impairment in patients with bronchiectasis [Abstract]. Thorax 65(S4), pp. A178. (10.1136/thx.2010.151068.42)
2009
- Gale, N. S., Duckers, J. M., Munnery, M., Enright, S., Cockcroft, J. R., Bolton, C. E. and Shale, D. 2009. Central Arterial Stiffness Occurs in Bronchiectasis [Abstract]. Artery Research 3(4), pp. 159. (10.1016/j.artres.2009.10.173)
- Gale, N. S. et al. 2009. The Effect of Pulmonary Rehabilitation on Arterial Stiffness in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Artery Research 3(4), pp. 173-174. (10.1016/j.artres.2009.10.056)
- Gale, N. S., Duckers, J. M., Munnery, M., Enright, S., Cockcroft, J. R., Bolton, C. E. and Shale, D. 2009. Systemic manifestations of bronchiectasis [Abstract]. Thorax 64(S IV), pp. A171. (10.1136/thx.2009.127654l)
- Gale, N. S. et al. 2009. Pulmonary rehabilitation improves cardiovascular risk factors in patients with COPD [Abstract]. Thorax 64(S IV), pp. A40. (10.1136/thx.2009.127076w)
2008
- Gale, N. S., Hilsden, E., Lines, T., Enright, S., Shale, D. and Bolton, C. E. 2008. Fatigue in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease undertaking pulmonary rehabilitation [Abstract]. Thorax 63(S7), pp. A92.
Teaching
Post-Graduate Research Training: Data analysis (module lead)
Post-Graduate Taught programmes: Research methods, data analysis, critical appraisal, research proposal writing, respiratory physiology and pathophysiology, dissertation supervision
Undergraduate programmes: respiratory physiology, physiotherapy management of respiratory problems, dissertation, introduction to research, dissertation supervision
Basic Life support Level 4-6
My research interests include the management of chronic health conditions. I have a particular interest in chronic lung disease, cardiovascular disease, frailty and cancer. I develop and evaluate supportive interventions for people with chronic conditions, particular promoting physical activity. I am also involved in building research capacity in Healthcare Professionals
Current projects include:
The codesign of a personalised activity and lifestyle tool for people with cancer (CAN-PAL)
'The Co-Production of a home-based Activity programme for people with Lung cancer and established weight loss (CoPAL)' a collaboration with the Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Centre
Research grants
- Cardiff University Innovation for all Fund: The codesign of a personalised activity and lifestyle tool for people with cancer (CAN-PAL) April - November 2022 (Principal Investigator; £11,194)
- 'Tenovus Cancer Care Identifying the unique contribution, impact and future direction of Tenovus Cancer Care April 2019-2021 (Co-applicant £58,577)
- RCBCWales. Post Doctoral Fellowship 'The co-production of a home-based Activity programme for people with lung cancer and established weight loss (CoPAL)' September 2017-19 (Principal Investigator; £59,944)
- Tenovus Cancer Care 'A study to investigate the effect of choral singing on quality of life, self-esteem and empowerment in participants with cancer, and their family or carers' (Co-applicant; £96,656) May 2012-13
- Tenovus Cancer Care. The Effect of Choral Singing on Quality of Life and Lung Function in Cancer Survivors and their Carers January 2010 (£7,942)
- Tenovus Cancer Care 'The role of exercise in patients with cancer cachexia December December 2010-2012 (Co-applicant; £29,555)
- Research Capacity Building Collaboration Wales PhD studentship. Co-morbidities in patients with chronic respiratory disease June 2006-2010 (£36, 000)
Supervision
I am interested in supervising PhD students in the areas of:
- The impact of comorbidities in chronic lung disease
- The role of physical activity in chronic lung disease
- Developing and evaluating supportive interventions in cancer
Current supervision
Past projects
Mahfoudha Al-Shezawi (PhD) An Evaluation of Central and Cerebral Haemodynamic Interactions in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (Awarded 2021)
Ali Albarrati (PhD) Longitudinal Evaluation of Novel Outcome Measure in COPD (Awarded 2014)
Trudy Faulkner (Professional Doctorate) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: accurate spirometry assessment and interpretation for chronic disease management in general practice: what are the barriers for practice nurses? (Awarded 2016)