Assessment of the accuracy of YouTube videos on stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury: Implications for patient education and misinformation

OBJECTIVE;: The use of social media for researching medical conditions is steadily increasing among both healthcare professionals and the general public. Among the most widely used platforms, YouTube hosts numerous videos concerning stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the quality and reliability of such videos available on YouTube. METHODS: In August 2024, a search was conducted on the YouTube platform using the keywords "spinal cord injury, stem cell." A total of 153 videos were evaluated independently by two neurosurgeons using the JAMA benchmark criteria and the Global Quality Score (GQS). When comparing the number of views, interaction indices, and view rates, these values were found to be higher in videos produced by non-healthcare professionals. CONCLUSION: : Although the increasing use of stem cell therapy in various fields has led to greater interest in related YouTube content among patients and their relatives, the platform appears to be insufficient in providing and disseminating reliable medical information in this context.