Evaluation of the Quality and Reliability of Exercise and Physiotherapy Videos Shared on Youtube for Patients With Hemophilia: a Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the quality and reliability of shared on YouTube videos pertaining to exercises and physiotherapy in haemophilia. Methods: The terms "exercise in haemophilia" and ''physiotherapy in hemophilia'' were entered on YouTube, First 300 videos were independently analyzed by two physiotherapists and were classified as reliable or non-reliable. Video demographics were analyzed according to speakers and uploaders of the video. Video Power Index (VPI) was calculated for each video. Modified DISCERN and Global Quality Scores (GQS) were used to assess the reliability and overall quality of the videos. Results: Eighty-five videos were included and 51.7 % were non-reliable. The median GQS and DISCERN scores of the videos were significantly higher in the reliable group and where the speakers were physician and physiotherapist (p<0.001). According to the video source, the GQS and DISCERN scores of the videos shared by haemophilia patients and personal trainers were found to be significantly lower in all pairwise comparisons of other groups (p<0.001). Although the VPI was higher in the reliable group, no significant difference was found in all group comparisons (p=0.185). Conclusions: It was determined that most of the exercise and physiotherapy videos shared on YouTube in hemophilia were non-reliable and quite low quality. Although the popularity of the videos shared by Haemophilia Associations/Universities/physician or physiotherapists is not high, their reliability and quality are relatively higher. Considering the difficulties of hemophilic individuals in reaching physiotherapist who maintains their joint health, it may be recommended that musculoskeletal specialist physiotherapists share original, detailed and interesting videos.