The research area is Nursing Management, Chronic Disease Management, Evidence-Based Practice, and Knowledge Translation.

1. National Natural Science Foundation of China (72274110). Construction and Verification of a Complex Adaptive Systems Based Management Model in Combating Comorbidities of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Mild Cognitive Impairment among Rural Elderly(general program). Principal Investigator. 2023-01- 2026-12. 450,000 CNY.

2. National Natural Science Foundation of China (72293582). Internet-based emergency prevention and control mechanism for major infectious diseases ( sub-topics-medical insurance service innovation and smart hospital management ). Principal Investigator. 2023.01-2027.12. 300,000 CNY.

3. Ministry of Science and Technology China-Africa Project. “Empowering African Midwives to Safeguard Maternal and Child Health” International Training Programme. Principal Investigator. 2026.01-2027.12. 300,000 CNY.

4. Shandong University Cooperation Transverse Project (6010121049). Construction and application of experimental and clinical teaching system of wound, stoma and incontinence based on Miller pyramid model guided by post competency. Principal Investigator. 2021.05-2024.12. 900,000 CNY.

5. Shandong University Cooperation Transverse Project (6010121001). Study on the relationship between sleep quality and inflammatory markers in the elderly population. Principal Investigator. 2021.01-2024.12. 100,000 CNY.

6. Journal of the Chinese Medical Association (CMAPH-NRP2022002). Establishment and development of Chinese nurse health cohort : a longitudinal network-based study. Principal Investigator.2023.08-2025.08. 20,000 CNY.

7. Shandong Provincial Department of Education (M2022337). The exploration and practice of ' 1 + 1 ' clinical practice specialized training mode guided by post competency. Principal Investigator. 2023.01-2025.01. 50,000 CNY.

8. Shandong University, China-Australia Health Science Research Center. WeChat-based palliative care service for elderly patients with advanced cancer and their family carers: a comparative study between mainland China and those Chinese people living in Adelaide, Australia. Principal Investigator. 2019-2021. 50,000 CNY.

9. Department of Science & Technology of Shandong Province, Key research and development plan of Shandong Province (2017GSF218001). Hospital to Home-Care for Aged Residing Empty, H2H-CARE study. Principal Investigator. 2017-2018. 100,000 CNY.

10. Shandong Province Social Science Planning Research Key Project, Shandong Provincial Social Science Federation (20BLSJ01). Study of the Origin and Development of North American Missionary Nurses and Modern Nursing in Shandong in the Context of the Intercultural Convergence. Principal Investigator. 2015.10-2016.12. 50,000 CNY.

[1] Yan J, Wang Y, Wang Z, Cao Y*. Predicting mild cognitive impairment among rural older adults in China: development and validation of a risk prediction model. BMC Geriatr. 2026 Mar 26. doi: 10.1186/s12877-026-07360-7.

[2] Michael NA, Mselle LT, Bureta CA, Tarimo EM, Cao Y*. Experiences of healthcare providers, survivors and caregivers with hospital-to-home stroke transitional care in Tanzania: a qualitative study. BMJ Open. 2026 Feb 10;16(2):e098301. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-098301.

[3] Liu Y, Wang X, Wang S, Cao Y*. Nomogram prediction model for pneumonia after valve replacement in patients with heart valve disease. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2026 Jan 30;13:1670003. doi: 10.3389/fcvm.2026.1670003.

[4] Wei N, Wang Y, Liu G, Zhang Y, Li L, Lv X, Davidson PM, Cao Y*. Perceived stress, sickness presenteeism, job burnout, and turnover intention among nurses: A cross-sectional survey. Nurs Outlook. 2026 Jan 23;74(2):102650. doi: 10.1016/j.outlook.2025.102650.

[5] Michael NA, Mselle LT, Bureta CA, Ndile M, Cao Y*. Post-stroke recovery and home care challenges among stroke survivors and family caregivers in Tanzania: a qualitative study. BMC Nurs. 2025 Oct 29;24(1):1345. doi: 10.1186/s12912-025-03929-6.

[6] Michael NA, Mselle LT, Bureta CA, Mkoka DA, Cao Y*. Barriers and facilitators to accessing stroke care services in Tanzania: an explorative qualitative study among stroke survivors, caregivers and healthcare providers. BMC Health Serv Res. 2025 Jul 1;25(1):848. doi: 10.1186/s12913-025-13026-8.

[7] Liu X, Zhang J, Guan X, Cao Y*. Barriers and Facilitators to Cognitive Function Interventions in Rural Diabetic Older Adults: Using the COM-B Model and Theoretical Domains Framework. J Adv Nurs. 2025 Jun 20. doi: 10.1111/jan.70030.

[8] Michael NA, Mselle LT, Tarimo EM, Cao Y*. The Effectiveness of Nurse-Led Transition Care on Post-Discharge Outcomes of Adult Stroke Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nurs Open. 2025 Mar;12(3):e70140. doi: 10.1002/nop2.70140.

[9] Liu X, Luan F, Xiao L, Cao Y*. Mediating role of grip strength between depression symptoms and cognitive function: A cross-sectional study among older adults with diabetes in rural areas. PLoS One. 2025 Jun 13;20(6):e0325442. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0325442.

[10] Wei N, Zhang X, Liu G, Zhang Y, Li L, Lv X, Cao Y*. The mediating effect of sleep quality in the relationship between nocturia and psychosocial functions in nurses: a cross-sectional survey based on TARGET. BMC Nurs. 2025 Jun 5;24(1):644.doi: 10.1186/s12912-025-03259-7.

[11] Zhang X, Wei N, Li M, Li L, Lv X, Zhang Y, Davidson PM, Cao Y*. Sickness presenteeism, job burnout, social support and health-related productivity loss among nurses in the Chinese nurses' health cohort study (TARGET): A cross-sectional survey. Int J Nurs Stud. 2025 Feb;162:104962. doi: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2024.104962.

[12] Liu X, Cao Y*. The Mediating Effect of Physical Performance on Physical Activity and Mild Cognitive Impairment Among Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes in Rural China. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2024 Oct;39(10):e70001. doi: 10.1002/gps.70001.

[13] Liu X, Jiang T, Jiang Y, Li L, Cao Y*. Prevalence of mild cognitive impairment and modifiable risk factors: A cross-sectional study in rural older adults with diabetes. Geriatr Nurs. 2024 Sep-Oct;59:549-556. doi: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2024.08.010.

[14] Zheng X, Zhang W, Wan X, Lv X, Lin P, Si S, Xue F, Wang A, Cao Y*. The effects of Mediterranean diet on cardiovascular risk factors, glycemic control and weight loss in patients with type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis. BMC Nutr. 2024 Apr 19;10(1):59. doi: 10.1186/s40795-024-00836-y.

[15] Jiang Y, Liu X, Gao H, Yan J, Cao Y*. A new nomogram model for the individualized prediction of mild cognitive impairment in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2024 Apr 9;15:1307837. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1307837.

[16] Zhang X, Zhang D, Liu Y, Tian Y, Yu F, Cao Y*, Su Y. The effects of psychological interventions on suicide for cancer patients: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Psychol Health Med. 2024 May 24:1-23. doi: 10.1080/13548506.2024.2356026.

[17] Liu X, Wang G, Cao Y*. The prevalence of mild cognitive impairment and dementia among rural dwellers: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Geriatric Nursing, 2024 Feb 1;56:74-82. doi: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2024.01.003.

[18] Zhang X, Li M, Dong W, Lv X, Li L, Yang X, Cao Y*. Prevalence and influencing factors of lower urinary tract symptoms in female nurses: a cross-sectional study based on TARGET. Front Public Health. 2023 Jun 19;11:1201184. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1201184.

[19] Liu X, Wang G, Cao Y*. The effectiveness of exercise on global cognitive function, balance, depression symptoms, and sleep quality in patients with mild cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Geriatr Nurs. 2023 May-Jun;51:182-193. doi: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2023.03.013.

[20] Liu X, Wang G, Cao Y*. Association of nonpharmacological interventions for cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Aging Clin Exp Res. 2023 Mar;35(3):463-478. doi: 10.1007/s40520-022-02333-3.

[21] Chen H, Cao Y*, Lu Y, Zheng X, Kong B, Dong H, Zhou Q. Factors associated with mental health outcomes among caregivers of older adults in long-term care facilities during COVID-19 post-epidemic era in Shandong, China. Front Psychiatry. 2022 Oct 12;13:1011775. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1011775.

[22] Liu X, Wang G, Cao Y*. Physical exercise interventions for perinatal depression symptoms in women: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Psychol. 2022 Dec 13;13:1022402. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1022402.

[23] Yan J, Luan F, Wang M, Dong W, Zhang X, Li M, Cao Y*. Prospective association between standing balance and cognitive function in middle-aged and older Chinese adults. Front Psychol. 2022 Sep 26;13:931216. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.931216.

[24] Yan J, Wang M, Cao Y*. Patterns of multimorbidity in association with falls among the middle-aged and older adults: results from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. BMC Public Health. 2022 ;22(1):1814. doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-14124-6.

[25] Lv X, Li Y, Li R, Guan X, Li L,Li J, Si S, Ji X, Cao Y*, Xue F. Relationships of sleep traits with prostate cancer risk: A prospective study of 213,999 UK Biobank participants. Prostate. 2022,82(9):984-992. doi: 10.1002/pros.24345.

[26] Lv X, Cao Y*, Li Y, Liu Y, Li R, Guan X, Li L, Li J, Si S, Xue F, Ji X, Zhao J, Soh KL, Davidson PM. The TARGET Nurses' health cohort study protocol: Towards a revolution in getting nurses' health ticked. J Adv Nurs. 2022 Jun;78(6):1815-1823. doi: 10.1111/jan.15204.

[27] Lv X, Yu DSF, Cao Y*, Xia J. Self-Care Experiences of Empty-Nest Elderly Living With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Qualitative Study From China. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021 Nov 18;12:745145. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2021.745145.

Director of the 28th Council of the Chinese Nursing Association

Vice Chairman of the Evidence Based Nursing Committee of the Chinese Nursing Association

Vice Chairman of Shandong Nursing Association

Vice Chairman of the Nursing Education Committee, Chinese Association of Research-oriented Hospitals

Vice Chairman of the Nursing Branch, China Association for the Promotion of International Exchange in Healthcare

Chairman of the Medical and Nursing Integration Development Branch of Shandong Medical Association

Qilu Nursing Science and Technology Award (First Prize, First Rank), Shandong Nursing Association, 2025.

Science and Technology Innovation Achievement Award (Second Prize, First Rank), Shandong Medical Association, 2025.

Group Standard for the Prevention and Care of Adhesive-Related Skin Injuries in Adult Patients, Lead Drafter, 2025.

Qilu Nursing Science and Technology Award (Third Prize, First Rank), Shandong Nursing Association, 2021.

Science and Technology Award, Chinese Nursing Association (Third Prize, First Author), 2021.

The 10th Outstanding Science and Technology Workers of Shandong Province by Shandong Association for Science & Technology, 2021.

Shandong Province Medical System  ' Luwei Craftsman ' by Shandong Provincial Medical Trade Union Committee, 2021.

Female Pioneer of anti-COVID-19 by National Women's Federation, National Health Commission, 2020.

Qilu Model of the Times by Publicity Department of Shandong Provincial Government, 2020.