Wei Liang

Dr. Wei Liang

School of Physical Education, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

16Years (2011-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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22 February 2021 in Journal of Medical Internet Research
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
YDYanping Duan
Yanping Duan
Borui ShangBorui Shang
Borui Shang
Wei LiangWei Liang
Wei Liang
GDGaohui Du
Gaohui Du
MYMin YANG
Min YANG
RRRyan E Rhodes
Ryan E Rhodes
Background: Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are associated with the burden of premature deaths and huge medical costs globally. There is an increasing number of studies combining a multiple health behavior change (MHBC) intervention paradigm with eHealth approaches to jointly promote weight-related health behaviors among people with NCD; yet, a comprehensive summary of these studies is lacking. Objective: This review aims to meta-analyze the effectiveness and systematically summarize the characteristics of the relevant intervention studies for improving the outcomes of physical activity, healthy diet, and weight among people with NCD. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, 4 electronic databases (PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus) were systematically searched to identify eligible articles based on a series of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Article selection, quality assessment, and data extraction were independently performed by 2 authors. The standardized mean difference (SMD) was calculated to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions for 3 intervention outcomes (physical activity, healthy diet, and weight), and subsequent subgroup analyses were performed for gender, age, intervention duration, channel, and theory. Calculations were conducted, and figures were produced in SPSS 22 and Review Manager 5.3. Results: Of the 664 original hits generated by the systematic searches, 15 eligible studies with moderate to high quality were included. No potential publication bias was detected using statistical analyses. Studies varied in intervention channel, intensity, and content. The meta-analysis revealed that the eHealth MHBC interventions significantly promoted physical activity (SMD 0.85, 95% CI 0.23 to 1.47, P=.008) and healthy diet (SMD 0.78, 95% CI 0.13 to 1.43, P=.02), but did not contribute to a healthy weight status (SMD –0.13, 95% CI= –0.47 to 0.20, P=.43) among people with NCDs, compared to the control conditions. Results from subgroup analysis indicated that theory-based interventions achieved greater effect than nontheory-based interventions in promoting physical activity, and interventions with traditional approaches (SMS, telephone) were more effective than those with modern internet-based approaches in promoting healthy diet. Conclusions: The results of this review indicates that eHealth MHBC interventions achieve preliminary success in promoting physical activity and healthy diet behaviors among people with NCD. Future studies could improve the intervention design to achieve better intervention effectiveness. Trial Registration: PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42019118629; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=118629

19 November 2018 in Journal of Medical Internet Research
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
YDYanping Duan
Yanping Duan
Wei LiangWei Liang
Wei Liang
LGLan Guo
Lan Guo
JWJulian Wienert
Julian Wienert
GSGang Yan Si
Gang Yan Si
Sonia LippkeSonia Lippke
Sonia Lippke
Journal of Medical Internet Research - International Scientific Journal for Medical Research, Information and Communication on the Internet #Preprint #PeerReviewMe: Warning: This is a unreviewed preprint. Readers are warned that the document has not been peer-reviewed by expert/patient reviewers or an academic editor, may contain misleading claims, and is likely to undergo changes before final publication, if accepted, or may have been rejected/withdrawn. Readers with interest and expertise are encouraged to sign up as peer-reviewer, if the paper is within an open peer-review period. Please cite this preprint only for review purposes or for grant applications and CVs (if you are the author). Background: Web-based and theory-based eHealth interventions for multiple health behaviours appear to be a promising approach for cardiac patients who have been discharged from the hospital, in adopting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Until now, no randomized controlled trials have tested this assumption among Chinese rehabilitation patients with coronary heart disease, using an eHealth intervention. Objective: The study aim was to evaluate the effect of an 8-week web-based eHealth intervention in terms of physical activity (PA), fruit and vegetable consumption (FVC), lifestyle changes, social-cognitive outcomes and health outcomes, compared to a waiting control group in Chinese cardiac patients. The intervention content was theory-based on the Health Action Process Approach. Self-reported data was evaluated, including PA, FVC, healthy lifestyle (the synthesis of PA and FVC), internal resources (combination of intention, self-efficacy and planning) and an external resource (social support) of PA and FVC behaviours, as well as perceived health outcomes (Body Mass Index, quality of life, depression). Methods: In a randomized controlled trial, 136 outpatients with coronary heart disease from the cardiac rehabilitation centre of a hospital in China were recruited. After the and exclusion of unsuitable participants, 114 patients were assigned into one of two groups: (1) the intervention group: first 4-weeks on PA and subsequent 4-weeks on FVC; (2) the waiting control group. Two web-based assessments were conducted, including one at the beginning of the intervention (T1, N=114), and one at the end of the 8-week intervention (T2, N=83). The enrolment and follow-up took place from December 2015 to May 2016. Results: The web-based eHealth intervention outperformed the control condition for PA, FVC, internal resources of PA and FVC, and an external resource of FVC, with an Eta² effect size ranging from .06 to .43. Furthermore, the intervention effect was seen in the improvement of the quality of life (F1, 79 =16.36, P< .001, η2=.17). When predicting a healthy lifestyle at follow-up, baseline lifestyle (odds ratio, OR, 145.60, 95% CI 11.24-1886; P<.001) and the intervention (OR 21.32, 95% CI 2.40-189.20; p<.01) were found to be significant predictors. Internal resources for FVC mediated the effect of the intervention on the adoption of a healthy lifestyle (R2 adj=.29; P=.001), indicating that if the intervention increased the internal resource of behaviour, the adoption of a healthy lifestyle was more likely. Conclusions: Patients’ psychological resources including motivation, self-efficacy, planning and social support, as well as lifestyle, can be improved by a web-based eHealth intervention that focuses on both PA and FVC. Such an intervention enriches extended rehabilitation approaches for cardiac patients to be active, and remain healthy in daily life after hospital discharge. Clinical Trial: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01909349; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01909349 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6pHV1A0G1)

D.L.I.H.K. PEIRISD.L.I.H.K. PEIRIS
D.L.I.H.K. PEIRIS
YDYanping Duan
Yanping Duan
Corneel VandelanotteCorneel Vandelanotte
Corneel Vandelanotte
Wei LiangWei Liang
Wei Liang
MYMin YANG
Min YANG
JBJulien Baker
Julien Baker
In-Classroom physical activity breaks (IcPAB) are a promising way to promote children’s health behaviors, while contributing to the development of their academic and cognitive ability and health outcomes. Yet the effect of the activity breaks, which are exclusive to classroom settings, are still mixed and unclear. Hence, this review was conducted to identify the characteristics and the effects of IcPAB among primary school children. The review protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021234192). Following the Cochrane guidelines, PubMed, PsycINFO (ProQuest), MEDLINE (EBSCOhost), Embase/Ovid, SportDISCUS (EBSCOhost), Web of Science, Scopus and Academic Search Premier (EBSCOhost) databases were searched to collect data on randomised control trials without a time restriction. The final database search was conducted on the 8 November 2021. Random effects models were used to calculate the effect sizes. The systematic review identified ten eligible studies, nine of which were also included in the meta-analysis. Few studies used the theoretical frameworks and process evaluations. IcPAB showed mixed effectiveness on academic outcomes: i.e., IcPAB had effects on spelling performance (p < 0.05) and foreign language learning (p < 0.01) but not on mathematics and reading performance. Health behaviors such as moderate-to-vigorous physical activity levels were improved (p < 0.01), but IcPAB did not have an impact on cognition outcomes and health outcomes. Given these mixed results, further research is needed underpinned by strong methodological quality, theoretical underpinnings and reliable process evaluation methods.

Wei LiangWei Liang
Wei Liang
YDYanping Duan
Yanping Duan
Borui ShangBorui Shang
Borui Shang
CHChun Hu
Chun Hu
JBJulien Baker
Julien Baker
YWYanping Wang
Yanping Wang
The large-scale COVID-19 pandemic has not only resulted in the risk of death but also augmented the levels of depression in community-dwelling older adults. The present study aimed to investigate the characteristics of depression in Chinese older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic, to examine the association of individual precautionary behavior with older adults’ depression levels, and to identify the moderating role of socioeconomic indicators in the aforementioned association. Five hundred and sixteen older adults were recruited from five cities of Hubei province in China. They were asked to complete an online questionnaire survey. Results showed that 30.8% of participants indicated a significant depressive symptom during the pandemic. Older adults’ depression levels differed significantly in marital status, living situation, education level, household income, subjective health status, and infected cases of acquaintances. Precautionary behavior change showed significant inverse associations with older adults’ depression levels, where household income moderated this relationship. This is the first study to investigate the characteristics, behavioral correlates, and moderators of depression among Chinese older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Research findings may provide new insights into interventions and policy-making on individual precautionary behavior and mental health among older adults for future pandemics.

23 September 2021 in Journal of Medical Internet Research
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
HLHua-Xuan Liu
Hua-Xuan Liu
BCBik Chu Chow
Bik Chu Chow
Wei LiangWei Liang
Wei Liang
HHHolger Hassel
Holger Hassel
WHWendy Huang
Wendy Huang
Background: eHealth literacy (EHL) refers to a variety of capabilities that enable individuals to obtain health information from electronic resources and apply it to solve health problems. With the digitization of health care and the wide availability of health apps, a more diverse range of eHealth skills is required to properly use such health facilities. Existing EHL measurements focus mainly on the skill of obtaining health information (Web 1.0), whereas skills for web-based interactions (Web 2.0) and self-managing health data and applying information (Web 3.0) have not been well measured.Objective: This study aims to develop an EHL scale (eHLS) termed eHLS-Web3.0 comprising a comprehensive spectrum of Web 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 skills to measure EHL, and evaluate its validity and reliability along with the measurement invariance among college students.Methods: In study 1, 421 Chinese college students (mean age 20.5, SD 1.4 years; 51.8% female) and 8 health experts (mean age 38.3, SD 5.9 years; 87.5% female) were involved to develop the eHLS-Web3.0. The scale development included three steps: item pool generation, content validation, and exploratory factor analysis. In study 2, 741 college students (mean age 21.3, SD 1.4 years; 52.2% female) were recruited from 4 Chinese cities to validate the newly developed eHLS-Web3.0. The construct validity, convergent validity, concurrent validity, internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability, and measurement invariance across genders, majors, and regions were examined by a series of statistical analyses, including confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and multigroup CFAs using SPSS and Mplus software packages.Results: Based on the item pool of 374 statements collected during the conceptual development, 24 items (4-10 items per subscale) were generated and adjusted after cognitive testing and content validity examination. Through exploratory factor analysis, a 3-factor eHLS-Web3.0 was finally developed, and it included acquisition (8 items), verification (6 items), and application (10 items). In study 2, CFAs supported the construct validity of the 24-item 3D eHLS-Web3.0 (χ2244=903.076, χ2244=3.701, comparative fit index=0.924, Tucker-Lewis index=0.914, root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA]=0.06, and standardized root mean residual [SRMR]=0.051). The average variance extracted (AVE) value of 0.58 and high correlation between eHLS-Web3.0 subscales and the eHealth Literacy Scale (r=0.725-0.880, P<.001) indicated the convergent validity and concurrent validity of the eHLS-Web3.0. The results also indicated satisfactory internal consistency reliability (α=.976, ρ=0.934-0.956) and test-retest reliability (r=0.858, P<.001) of the scale. Multigroup CFA demonstrated the 24-item eHLS-Web3.0 to be invariant at all configural, metric, strength, and structural levels across genders (female and male), majors (sport-related, medical, and general), and regions (Yinchuan, Kunming, Xiamen, and Beijing).Conclusions: The 24-item 3D eHLS-Web3.0 proved to be a reliable and valid measurement tool for EHL in the Web 3.0 context among Chinese college students.

MYMin YANG
Min YANG
YDYanping Duan
Yanping Duan
Wei LiangWei Liang
Wei Liang
D.L.I.H.K. PEIRISD.L.I.H.K. PEIRIS
D.L.I.H.K. PEIRIS
JBJulien Baker
Julien Baker
An increasing number of studies are blending face-to-face interventions and electronic health (eHealth) interventions to jointly promote physical activity (PA) and diet among people. However, a comprehensive summary of these studies is lacking. This study aimed to synthesize the characteristics of blended interventions and meta-analyze the effectiveness of blended interventions in promoting PA, diet, and weight-related outcomes among adults. Following the PRISMA guidelines, PubMed, SPORTDiscus, PsycINFO, Embase, and Web of Science were systematically searched to identify eligible articles according to a series of inclusion criteria. The search was limited to English language literature and publication dates between January 2002 and July 2022. Effect sizes were calculated as standardized mean difference (SMD) for three intervention outcomes (physical activity, healthy diet, and weight-related). Random effect models were used to calculate the effect sizes. A sensitivity analysis and publication bias tests were conducted. Of the 1561 identified studies, 17 were eligible for the systematic review. Studies varied in participants, intervention characteristics, and outcome measures. A total of 14 studies were included in the meta-analyses. There was evidence of no significant publication bias. The meta-analyses indicated that the blended intervention could lead to a significant increase in walking steps (p < 0.001), total PA level (p = 0.01), and diet quality (p = 0.044), a significant decrease in energy intake (p = 0.004), weight (p < 0.001), BMI (p < 0.001), and waist circumferences (p = 0.008), but had no influence on more moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) or fruit and vegetable intake among adults, compared with a control group. The study findings showed that blended interventions achieve preliminary success in promoting PA, diet, and weight-related outcomes among adults. Future studies could improve the blended intervention design to achieve better intervention effectiveness.