Xiaomei Cong, PhD, RN, FAAN
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Beatrice Renfield Professor of NursingDownloadHi-Res Photo
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Associate Dean of Research , Yale School of Nursing
Deputy Director (Nursing), Yale Center for Clinical Investigation (YCCI)
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Beatrice Renfield Professor of Nursing
Associate Dean of Research , Yale School of Nursing; Deputy Director (Nursing), Yale Center for Clinical Investigation (YCCI)
Biography
Dr. Cong received her PhD from Case Western Reserve University, MSN from Chiang Mai University, and BS from Peking University. She is a nursing researcher with longstanding clinical and research interests in symptoms science, e.g., the bio-behavioral mechanisms of pain and stress and self-management with health outcomes. In 2022, she became Associate Dean of Research at the Yale School of Nursing. She is one of the first nurse scientists investigating pain/stress and neurodevelopment in infants using multi-omic approaches. Her research addresses some of the most complex issues surrounding early life experience in high-risk infants and implementation of pain management strategies in vulnerable populations. She has over 20 years of research experience and have led many projects funded by the NIH-NINR. The impact of her research is far-reaching in biobehavioral science, symptom management, healthcare policies, and practice.
Last Updated on June 08, 2025.
Departments & Organizations
Education & Training
- PhD
- Case Western Reserve University (2006)
- MS
- Chiang Mai University, Maternal and Child Health (1996)
- BMedSci
- Peking University , Medicine/Nursing (1990)
Research
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Overview
Public Health Interests
Child/Adolescent Health; Breastfeeding; Clinical Trials; Maternal & Child Health; Health Equity, Disparities, Social Determinants and Justice; Genetics, Genomics, Epigenetics; Microbiome; Perinatal/Prenatal Health
ORCID
0000-0002-4992-199X- View Lab Website
Lab Website
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Frequent collaborators of Xiaomei Cong's published research.
Publications Timeline
A big-picture view of Xiaomei Cong's research output by year.
Sarah N. Taylor, MD, MSCR
129Publications
4,369Citations
Publications
2025
Neonatal Pain Experience and Pain Sensitivity Trajectories in Preterm Infants: A Longitudinal Study of Flexion Withdrawal Reflex Thresholds Over the First Two Years of Age
Wu W, Wang W, Li A, Chen J, Lainwala S, Matson A, Chen M, Li J, Cong X. Neonatal Pain Experience and Pain Sensitivity Trajectories in Preterm Infants: A Longitudinal Study of Flexion Withdrawal Reflex Thresholds Over the First Two Years of Age. Journal Of Pain 2025, 105558. PMID: 40945636, DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105558.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricConceptsNeonatal intensive care unitFlexion withdrawal reflexPreterm infantsPain sensitivityDevelopment of pain sensitizationNeonatal pain experienceHigh-risk infantsWithdrawal reflex thresholdIntensive care unitYears of ageMonths of ageGestational ageNociceptive systemAnalgesic useLongitudinal studyPretermPain managementReflex thresholdNeonatal experienceNon-Black femalesCare unitNeuroprotective strategiesInfantsPain experienceMale subgroupMechanistic Insights into a Self-Management Intervention in Young Adults with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Pilot Multi-Omics Study
Wu W, Chen J, Li A, Chen M, Starkweather A, Cong X. Mechanistic Insights into a Self-Management Intervention in Young Adults with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Pilot Multi-Omics Study. Biomedicines 2025, 13: 2102. PMID: 41007665, PMCID: PMC12467349, DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines13092102.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsConceptsSelf-management interventionsPost-interventionIrritable bowel syndromeSelf-reported pain severityResults:Pre-post studyParent randomized controlled trialBrief Pain InventoryYoung adultsRandomized Controlled TrialsPain interferenceNon-HispanicSelf-ManagementLinear mixed-effects modelsLarger longitudinal studiesPain InventoryPain severityMethods:Bowel syndromeLifestyle modificationMixed-effects modelsLongitudinal multi-omic profilingInterventionSleep disturbanceLongitudinal studyPain, fatigue, and associated gene expressions over chemotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer
Wu W, Li A, Singh V, Salner A, Chen M, Judge M, Cong X, Xu W. Pain, fatigue, and associated gene expressions over chemotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer. PLOS ONE 2025, 20: e0325849. PMID: 40577278, PMCID: PMC12204541, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0325849.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsSelf-report outcome measuresPain interferenceColorectal cancerOutcome measures of painHigher pain interferenceMixed-effects linear regression analysisMeasures of painStatistically significant associationSymptom burdenNon-HispanicProspective longitudinal studyFatigue patternsLinear mixed modelsFatigue levelsEffective interventionsTargeted interventionsLinear regression analysisSignificant associationCancer CenterPost-chemotherapyLongitudinal studyPainStage III cancerChemotherapy cyclesRegression analysisSex-differences in Mothers' own milk and neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants
Zhao T, Li A, Chang X, Xu W, Quinn T, Chen J, Matson A, Chen M, Taylor S, Cong X. Sex-differences in Mothers' own milk and neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants. Frontiers In Pediatrics 2025, 13: 1523952. PMID: 40224385, PMCID: PMC11985779, DOI: 10.3389/fped.2025.1523952.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsMother's own milkNICU Network Neurobehavioral ScalePreterm infantsYears of corrected ageBayley Scales of Infant and Toddler DevelopmentGrowth z scoresHuman donor milkNeurodevelopmental outcomesSex-differential associationNeurobehavioral ScaleBayley ScalesCohort studyDonor milkRisk predictorsWeek 8PretermYear of CAZ-scoreToddler DevelopmentNICUWeek 9InfantsFeeding regimensRegimensNeurodevelopmentOptimizing Sensor Locations for Electrodermal Activity Monitoring Using a Wearable Belt System
McNaboe R, Kong Y, Henderson W, Cong X, Li A, Seo M, Chen M, Feng B, Posada-Quintero H. Optimizing Sensor Locations for Electrodermal Activity Monitoring Using a Wearable Belt System. Journal Of Sensor And Actuator Networks 2025, 14: 31. PMID: 40176780, PMCID: PMC11963145, DOI: 10.3390/jsan14020031.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsConceptsEDA signalsSignal qualityElectrodermal activity monitorsContinuous health monitoringOptimal sensor locationsTorso locationsElectrodermal activityBio-signalsWearable devicesHealth monitoringMeasuring electrodermal activitySensor locationsBelt systemLower back locationEDA measurementsIrritable bowel syndromeMean skin conductanceWearable
2024
Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Managing Pain: A Scoping Review
Chen J, Kuang H, Chen A, Dungan J, Cousin L, Cong X, Patel P, Starkweather A. Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Managing Pain: A Scoping Review. Pain Management Nursing 2024, 26: 33-39. PMID: 39690039, DOI: 10.1016/j.pmn.2024.11.006.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsScoping ReviewTranscutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulationChronic low back painPain managementEvaluate intervention fidelityLow back painAuricular vagus nerve stimulationPain conditionsPreferred Reporting ItemsPeer-reviewed journalsTranscutaneous nerve stimulationIntervention fidelityHealthcare professionalsBack painManaging painNerve stimulationSociodemographic variablesReporting ItemsInclusion of measuresVagus nerve stimulationEfficacy of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulationSystematic reviewSystematic searchMeSH termsLiterature searchHPV Status and Oral Health Symptom Patterning During Treatment and Survivorship in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer: A Longitudinal Analysis.
Dunnack Yackel H, Xu W, Wun Lee J, Cong X, Salner A, Duffy V, Judge M. HPV Status and Oral Health Symptom Patterning During Treatment and Survivorship in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer: A Longitudinal Analysis. Oncology Nursing Forum 2024, 51: 565-575. PMID: 39431692, DOI: 10.1188/24.onf.565-575.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsHead and neck cancerOral health symptomsHuman papillomavirusNeck cancerHPV-negative head and neck cancersHealth symptomsHuman papillomavirus statusRetrospective longitudinal chart reviewSocial determinants of healthRegional cancer instituteDeterminants of healthLongitudinal chart reviewConcurrent chemotherapyHPV statusRadiation therapyLatent transition analysisChart reviewSymptom patternsSocial determinantsImprove outcomesCancer InstitutePatientsTime pointsEarly interventionLongitudinal analysisAssociation between mitochondrial DNA copy number and neurodevelopmental outcomes among black and white preterm infants up to two years of age
Zhao T, Li A, Reese B, Cong Q, Corwin E, Taylor S, Matson A, Chen M, Alder N, Cong X. Association between mitochondrial DNA copy number and neurodevelopmental outcomes among black and white preterm infants up to two years of age. Interdisciplinary Nursing Research 2024, 3: 149-156. PMID: 39554223, PMCID: PMC11567671, DOI: 10.1097/nr9.0000000000000071.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricConceptsPreterm premature rupture of membranesNICU Network Neurobehavioral ScaleNeurodevelopmental outcomesPostmenstrual agePreterm infantsDNA copy numberMitochondrial DNA copy numberPremature rupture of membranesYears of corrected ageIncreased mtDNAcnInfants up to 1 yearBayley Scales of InfantBirth gestational ageInfant clinical characteristicsPreterm premature ruptureWhite preterm infantsRupture of membranesInfant neurobehavioral outcomesAbnormal copy numberCopy numberYears of ageGestational ageInfant outcomesNeurobehavioral ScaleClinical characteristicsNurse-led self-management support to improve symptom management and self-reported outcomes in people with irritable bowel syndrome
Barandouzi Z, Chen J, Henderson W, Starkweather A, Cong X. Nurse-led self-management support to improve symptom management and self-reported outcomes in people with irritable bowel syndrome. Interdisciplinary Nursing Research 2024, 3: 163-168. PMID: 39554222, PMCID: PMC11567672, DOI: 10.1097/nr9.0000000000000069.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsConceptsSelf-management sessionsQuality of lifeSelf-management supportSelf-management interventionsRegistered NursesSelf-reported outcomesPhysical activitySelf-ManagementSymptom managementIrritable bowel syndromeNurse-led supportImprove symptom managementImprove self-managementImprove dietary habitsSelf-management approachParent randomized controlled trialManagement of irritable bowel syndromeRandomized Controlled TrialsNurse-ledHigh-fat foodsParticipants' needsIn-personDietary habitsDisorders of gut-brain interactionSymptom episodesAcceptability, Effectiveness, and Roles of mHealth Applications in Supporting Cancer Pain Self-Management: Integrative Review
Wu W, Graziano T, Salner A, Chen M, Judge M, Cong X, Xu W. Acceptability, Effectiveness, and Roles of mHealth Applications in Supporting Cancer Pain Self-Management: Integrative Review. JMIR MHealth And UHealth 2024, 12: e53652. PMID: 39024567, PMCID: PMC11294773, DOI: 10.2196/53652.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsPain Self-ManagementSelf-ManagementMHealth appsIntegrative reviewJohns Hopkins Research Evidence Appraisal ToolEffectiveness of mHealth appsFrequency of breakthrough painDigital technology-based interventionTechnology-based interventionsPain appCINAHL PlusNarrative synthesisAppraisal toolMobile healthHealth outcomesMultimodal interventionMedication adherenceManaging painMeasure painMHealth applicationsMHealthInternal consistencyEducation facilitatorsSupport coordinatorsPositive experiences
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