Educational quality, reliability, and comprehensiveness of YouTube content on fall prevention exercises

This study aimed to evaluate the educational quality, reliability, and comprehensiveness of fall prevention exercise videos available on YouTube. At the outset of the study, a total of 300 fall prevention exercise videos were identified, of which 66 met the inclusion criteria and were subsequently analyzed. After recording video parameters, reliability and quality were assessed using the modified DISCERN (mDISCERN) and Global Quality Scale (GQS) instruments, respectively. Additionally, a 10-item questionnaire, specifically developed for this study, was employed to assess the comprehensiveness of video content. Findings revealed that 52% of the analyzed videos were of low quality, while 62.1% were deemed unreliable. A significant proportion of the content (47%) was uploaded by physiotherapists. Notably, GQS and mDISCERN scores exhibited statistically significant differences based on the source of the video (p =.010 and p =.022, respectively). Among high-quality videos, 69.2% were produced by physiotherapists, while 23.1% originated from professional organizations. However, no significant correlation was found between GQS, mDISCERN, and comprehensiveness scores and the Video Power Index (p >.05). Overall, fall prevention exercise videos on YouTube demonstrate low levels of quality and reliability. Furthermore, high-quality, reliable, and comprehensive content does not receive adequate viewer engagement, limiting its effectiveness as an educational resource for both older adults and healthcare professionals. The need to increase the number of high-quality fall prevention exercise videos on YouTube and to direct older adults to reliable educational materials emerges as a critical area for improvement.