Yanfei Xie

Dr. Yanfei Xie is a Research Fellow at RECOVER Injury Research Centre within the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences at The University of Queensland. She also holds affiliate positions at both the Centre for Innovation in Pain and Health Research (CIPHeR) and RECOVER Injury Research Centre. Her work focuses on understanding biopsychosocial mechanisms of musculoskeletal pain and developing tailored pain treatments.

Dr. Xie's educational background includes:

• Bachelor (Honours) in Rehabilitation Therapy from Sun Yat-Sen University
• Masters (Research) from Hong Kong Polytechnic University
• PhD from The University of Queensland (completed October 2021)

Dr. Xie's research centers on uncovering the biopsychosocial mechanisms underlying musculoskeletal pain and injury. Her work integrates quantitative sensory testing, biomechanical assessments, and psychological measures to understand pain experiences. She has particular expertise in work-related neck pain and disability, exploring how physical, sensory, and psychosocial factors interact to influence pain outcomes. Her research also extends to occupational health, health equity, and culturally responsive care approaches for diverse populations experiencing chronic pain.

Analysis of Dr. Xie's publication record reveals a strong focus on musculoskeletal pain mechanisms, particularly neck pain and work-related disorders. Her research employs diverse methodologies including randomized controlled trials, longitudinal studies, and systematic reviews. A notable trend is her investigation of how language and labeling affect pain perception and recovery expectations, as well as her work on developing tailored interventions for chronic pain management across diverse populations.

Dr. Xie has received several prestigious awards for her research contributions:

• 2021: The Best Poster Award at the Australian Pain Society 41st Annual Scientific Meeting
• 2019: 2nd Runner-up Best Poster Award at the 2019 Brisbane Pain Research Symposium
• 2019: People's Choice Best Oral Presentation at the 2019 UQ School of Health and Rehabilitation Postgraduate Research Conference
• 2018: Winner of the Best Infographic Award at the 2018 School of Health and Rehabilitation Postgraduate Research Conference

Dr. Xie is actively involved in research supervision and is currently available for new supervisees. Her current funding includes the 'StressModex' project (2025-2027) focusing on inpatient care following orthopaedic road trauma, funded by the Motor Accident Insurance Commission. She also leads projects on mHealth for chronic musculoskeletal pain in culturally diverse communities, including a 2024-2025 grant from the International Association for the Study of Pain and a 2024 grant from Health Translation Queensland.

Dr. Xie works within the RECOVER Injury Research Centre, a leading research group focused on injury prevention, management, and rehabilitation. Her research has directly informed the development of novel technologies for tailored pain management interventions and has influenced policy recommendations by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work regarding teleworkers.