Misinformation in spinal cord rehabilitation on YouTube: Enhancing standards for patient safety

BackgroundSpinal cord injury is a complex condition affecting millions globally, often requiring extensive rehabilitation. YouTube is increasingly utilized by spinal cord injury-patients and caregivers for rehabilitation information, despite potential misinformation risks. However, few studies have assessed the quality of spinal cord injury -related content on this platform.AimThis study evaluates the quality, reliability, and effectiveness of YouTube videos on spinal cord rehabilitation to identify credible resources and improve patient education.MethodsA systematic search was conducted on YouTube using keywords related to spinal cord injury rehabilitation, yielding 74 videos that met inclusion criteria. These were assessed independently by two reviewers for quality indicators using DISCERN, JAMA, and Global Quality Score criteria. Viewer engagement metrics such as views, likes, and comments were also analyzed.ResultsMost videos were of low to moderate quality, with only 24% rated as high quality. Videos uploaded by physicians received significantly higher quality ratings compared to those from other sources (p < 0.01), although their view counts were generally lower. Viewer engagement was positively correlated with likes and comments but inversely correlated with quality metrics, indicating that popular videos often lacked reliable information. Among the included videos, 28.4% were uploaded by physicians, 52.7% by physiotherapists, and 18.9% by others, providing insight into the source reliability.ConclusionThe overall quality of spinal cord injury rehabilitation videos on YouTube is low, posing risks for misinformation among patients. Efforts are needed to enhance the accessibility of scientifically accurate information. Healthcare professionals and digital platforms should collaborate to improve the quality of health-related videos, supporting informed decision-making for spinal cord injury patients.