Is YouTube a Reliable Online Platform for Scoliosis Exercises?: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: YouTube is an important platform for sharing information. There is no study that evaluates scoliosis exercise videos on YouTube as technical and content yet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality and reliability of scoliosis exercises videos on YouTube. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. To access the videos about scoliosis exercise, an online search on Youtube was performed using the term‘’scoliosis exercise’’on the 5th of April,2022. The popularity of videos was assessed with Video Power Index (VPI),the technical and educational quality, and the reliability of videos were measured using the Global Quality Scale(GQS),the Journal of American Medical Association(JAMA) benchmark criteria, and modified DISCERN instrument. Results: Fifty-three exercise videos were included in the study. Twenty-seven videos(50.9%) included general spinal stretching and strengthening exercises, six(11.3%) included Schroth therapy, twelve(22.6%) were yoga exercises, and eight(15.1%) were pilates exercises. When the videos were divided into two groups according to uploaders as medical(n=24) and non-medical professionals(n=29),no significant difference was determined between both groups in terms of the number of likes/dislikes, total/daily views, VPI, and GQS scores(p> 0.05). On the other hand, the JAMA and modified DISCERN instrument scores were found significantly higher in medical professionals (p=0.011,and 0.022, respectively). Also, a significant difference was found in terms of uploader profile(p=0.021), the modified DISCERN(p<0.001),and JAMA scores(p<0.001) between three educational quality levels. Conclusion: The YouTube videos on scoliosis exercises had poor quality.High-quality and reliable videos were mainly sourced from medical professionals.Additionally, the technical characteristics of the videos have not related to the reliability and quality of them.