Quality and reliability of YouTube videos on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A cross-sectional study

Background Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects 5% of children and adolescents. Diagnostic criteria rely on behavioural observations. YouTube offers easily accessible health information, including that on ADHD. We analyzed ADHD-related YouTube videos covering causes, treatment, medication, patient presentation, and ADHD deficit hyperkinetic disorder to assess the quality of information. Methods YouTube videos related to ADHD were evaluated in a cross-sectional study. Seven different search terms was used by seven authors to review the top 10 videos each. The videos were scored using the modified video power index (VPI), Global Quality Scale (GQS) and DISCERN scores to evaluate the quality and reliability of the information. The quality of videos was compared based on the nature of the source of the videos. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software was used to perform statistical analysis. Results This study included 67 videos, mostly by doctors (n = 21, 31.3%), most often describing ADHD symptoms (n = 58, 86.57%). The median GQS for the videos was 4, and the reliability score was also 4. The quality of videos was similar among the source of videos with p values for VPI, GQS, and global reliability being 0.073, 0.922, and 0.617, respectively. Conclusion The quality of videos on ADHD on YouTube are similar irrespective of the source such as doctors, patients, healthcare providers etc.