Are YouTube Videos a Reliable Source of Information About Exercise in Alzheimer's Disease?

The rapid growth in the use of online platforms for obtaining health-related information, together with the increasing incidence of Alzheimer's disease (AD), has made the evaluation of online information quality essential. The purpose of this research was to assess the quality and reliability of the more likely to be viewed YouTube videos related to exercise in individuals living with AD.

This descriptive study evaluated the quality and reliability of YouTube videos related to AD and exercise. Fifty-six English language videos were selected from the top search results based on keywords. Video sources, view rate metrics and content characteristics were recorded. The quality and reliability of the videos were independently evaluated by three physiotherapists using the Global Quality Scale (GQS) and DISCERN tool.

High-quality videos had higher DISCERN scores and greater view rate (p = 0.02), whereas low-quality videos showed minimal interaction (p < 0.001). Dislike rates were similar across all groups. In addition, Pearson correlation analysis indicated a very strong positive relationship (r = 0.97, p < 0.001) between views and likes, indicating that more viewed videos tend to receive more likes.

Video quality may have an influence on both the reliability of the information and viewer interaction, as reflected by view and like metrics. A considerable number of YouTube videos on exercise for individuals living with AD were shown to be of low or moderate quality. The findings highlight the need for improved oversight, collaboration between healthcare professionals and content creators, and the promotion of evidence-based digital health information to protect vulnerable populations.