When neuromuscular disorders become stars.

Area of Science:

• Medical Humanities
• Neurology
• Media Studies

Background:

• Audio-visual media frequently portrays human health conditions.
• Depictions of neuromuscular disorders (NMDs) in media can influence public perception and understanding.
• Historical analysis of NMD representation in film and television is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and analyze audio-visual media representations of neuromuscular disorders since 1910.
• To identify trends in the depiction of specific NMDs and genres.
• To assess the potential impact of media portrayals on public awareness.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 125 audio-visual works (films, TV series, documentaries) featuring NMDs.
• Categorization of works by NMD type, genre, and historical period.
• Qualitative assessment of representational accuracy and common themes.

Main Results:

• Motor neuron disorders, particularly amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), were the most frequently depicted NMDs (69.3%).
• Documentaries (48%) provided more factual representations compared to fictional works.
• Notable figures like Lou Gehrig and Stephen Hawking contributed to ALS overrepresentation; Duchenne muscular dystrophy was less frequently shown.

Conclusions:

• Media, especially documentaries, plays a significant role in raising public awareness of neuromuscular disorders.
• While some inaccuracies exist, media portrayals can foster greater understanding of rare diseases.
• Further research into accurate and sensitive media representation of NMDs is warranted.