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Characteristics, reliability, and quality of YouTube videos on meralgia paresthetica: a descriptive cross-sectional study

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Abstract

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to evaluate YouTube videos on meralgia paresthetica (MP) for reliability, quality, and differences between quality levels.

Methods

We analyzed 59 videos related to MP. We evaluated several video characteristics, including views, likes, dislikes, duration, and speaker profile. We used view ratio, like ratio, Video Power Index (VPI), Global Quality Scale (GQS), JAMA criteria, and modified DISCERN (mDISCERN) to assess viewer engagement, popularity, educational quality, and reliability.

Results

The videos received a total of 4,009,141 views (average 67,951.54), with 25.4% focused on exercise training and 23.7% focused on disease information. Mean scores were mDISCERN 2.4, GQS 2.8, and JAMA 2.1. Physician-led videos had higher mDISCERN scores, while allied health worker-led videos had more views, likes, dislikes, view ratios, and VPI. Poor and high-quality videos differed in views, likes, view ratio, VPI, and duration. Positive correlations existed among mDISCERN, JAMA, and GQS scores, with video duration positively correlated with GQS.

Conclusion

The content of YouTube videos discussing diseases significantly influences viewer engagement and popularity. To enhance the availability of valuable content on YouTube, which lacks a peer review process, medical professionals must contribute high-quality educational materials tailored to their target audience.

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Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are not openly available due to reasons of sensitivity and are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Abbreviations

AHW:

Allied Health Worker

GQS:

Global Quality Score

JAMA:

Journal of the American Medical Association

LFCN:

Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve

mDISCERN:

Modified DISCERN

MP:

Meralgia Paresthetica

VPI:

Video Power Index

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Health Sciences Türkiye, Bagcilar Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Türkiye

    Elif Tarihci Cakmak & Serpil Celik

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  1. Elif Tarihci Cakmak
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Contributions

The methodology of the research was determined and the research evaluations were conducted by ETC and SC. ETC ensured that the statistical analysis of the research was carried out with professional assistance. ETC prepared the figures and tables. The main manuscript was written and reviewed by ETC and SC.

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Correspondence to Elif Tarihci Cakmak.

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The research was presented as an oral presentation at the 17th Congress of the European Forum for Research in Rehabilitation 2023.

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Tarihci Cakmak, E., Celik, S. Characteristics, reliability, and quality of YouTube videos on meralgia paresthetica: a descriptive cross-sectional study. Acta Neurol Belg (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13760-024-02567-0

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