Quality and reliability of cervical spondylotic myelopathy–related content on TikTok and Bilibili

Short-video platforms such as TikTok and Bilibili have become widely used sources of health information. This study assessed the informational content, quality, and reliability of videos related to cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) on these platforms. A cross-sectional search was conducted on October 1, 2025, using the Chinese-language equivalent of “cervical spondylotic myelopathy” as the sole search term. For each eligible video, data on duration, user interaction metrics, uploader identity, and content themes were collected. Video quality and reliability were evaluated using the Global Quality Scale (GQS) and the modified DISCERN (mDISCERN) instrument. Group differences were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests, and correlations were examined using Spearman analysis. In total, 274 videos met the inclusion criteria. Most videos addressed diagnosis (76.28%) and treatment (74.82%), while prognostic information was scarce (16.06%). The median GQS score was 3.00 (interquartile range [IQR]: 2.00–3.00), and the median mDISCERN score was 4.00 (IQR: 3.00–4.00). TikTok videos achieved significantly higher GQS and mDISCERN scores than those on Bilibili ( P < .001). Videos produced by specialized healthcare professionals (SHPs) obtained the best evaluation scores ( P < .05). Engagement indicators showed no significant correlation with GQS or mDISCERN scores ( P > .05). The overall educational value of CSM-related videos was suboptimal. Content created by SHPs demonstrated superior quality and reliability. Video engagement metrics were not associated with video quality or reliability. Greater professional involvement and preferential presentation of evidence-based content warrant further investigation as potential approaches to improving the dissemination of high-quality CSM information on these platforms.