Assessment of pelvic floor muscle training video information quality and associated factors on Douyin and Bilibili: a cross-sectional study

This study evaluated the information quality of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) videos on Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok) and Bilibili and examined factors associated with higher-quality content. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 200 PFMT videos (100 per platform). Dissemination and engagement metrics were collected. Information quality was assessed using modified DISCERN (mDISCERN), the Global Quality Score (GQS), and the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Audiovisual Materials (PEMAT-A/V). Group differences were tested using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests; associations were assessed using Spearman's rank correlation; and factors associated with quality scores were examined using multiple linear regression. Median scores were 2.00 for mDISCERN, 3.00 for GQS, 66.67 for PEMAT-A/V understandability, and 100.00 for PEMAT-A/V actionability, indicating moderate overall quality. Multiple linear regression showed that publisher category was associated with GQS and mDISCERN scores. Compared with fitness or exercise influencers, science communicators had higher GQS scores (β = 0.298, P = 0.002), whereas individual users had lower GQS scores (β = - 0.361, P < 0.001). Healthcare professionals had higher mDISCERN scores (β = 1.169, P < 0.001), whereas individual users had lower mDISCERN scores (β = - 0.491, P < 0 .001). The video topic was associated with mDISCERN, PEMAT-A/V understandability, and PEMAT-A/V actionability scores. Compared with scientific and educational information videos, experiential narratives and self-management videos (β = - 1.037, P < 0.001) and pelvic floor dysfunction and symptom management videos (β = - 0.745, P = 0.002) had lower mDISCERN scores. Pelvic floor training and exercise guidance videos had higher PEMAT-A/V understandability (β = 14.767, P = 0.014) and actionability scores (β = 22.658, P = 0.010). These findings suggest that professionally produced and evidence-based PFMT videos may help users access more reliable and actionable health information.