Reliability, comprehensiveness, and quality of YouTube videos on conservative treatment of congenital muscular torticollis

Authors : Ahmet Üşen, Ahmet Akyol, Orhan Güney, Yiğit Emre Çetin
Pages : 109-119
Doi:10.15437/jetr.1672082
View : 63 | Download : 67
Publication Date : 2025-08-01
Article Type : Research Paper
Abstract :Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the comprehensiveness, reliability, and quality of YouTube videos related to the conservative treatment of congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) and to compare videos uploaded by healthcare professionals with those by other creators in terms of quality, reliability, and popularity. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed 50 YouTube videos recorded through specific keyword searches. The videos were evaluated for their characteristic features such as duration, views, and likes, as well as for comprehensiveness (scored 0–5), reliability using the Modified DISCERN tool (scored 0–5), and overall quality using the Global Quality Scale (GQS) (scored 1–5). They were then classified according to the type of individual or institution that uploaded them, and a comparative analysis was performed. Results: Of the 50 videos evaluated, 86% were classified as useful and 14% as misleading. While most of the useful videos (62.79%) were uploaded by therapists, 57.14% of the misleading videos originated from non-professional sources. The comprehensiveness, DISCERN, and GQS scores of useful videos were significantly higher than those of misleading ones (p < 0.05). High-quality videos had a greater number of daily views and likes compared to low- and medium-quality videos. Videos uploaded by healthcare professionals were found to be more reliable and of higher quality. Conclusion: Although most CMT-related videos on YouTube were uploaded by healthcare professionals, misleading content remains present. Video popularity does not guarantee quality. Therefore, videos used for patient education should be carefully evaluated in terms of accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Keywords : Tortikolis, Sağlık eğitimi, Konservatif tedavi, Dijital sağlık

ORIGINAL ARTICLE URL