Video demonstrations generally accurate, widely viewed; videos used for self-treatment, education
MONDAY, July 23 (HealthDay News) -- Video-sharing Web sites such as YouTube accurately demonstrate the Epley Maneuver (EM), a simple treatment for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo of the posterior canal, according to a study published in the July 24 issue of Neurology.
Kevin A. Kerber, M.D., from the University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor, and colleagues searched YouTube to describe available information about the EM. Two authors rated the accuracy of the maneuver, and differences were resolved by adjudication. Themes regarding video use were assessed from the comments posted by viewers.
The researchers identified 3,319 videos, 33 of which demonstrated the EM; the total number of hits for all videos was 2,755,607. The American Academy of Neurology had produced the video that received the most hits (802,471). Eighty-five percent of all hits were received by five videos. In 64 percent of the videos the maneuver was rated as accurate. Based on the 424 comments posted on the videos, themes included patients self-treating with the maneuver after viewing and providers using the video as a treatment or for educational purposes.
"Accurate video demonstration of the Epley maneuver is available and widely viewed on YouTube," the authors write. "Video-sharing media may be an important way to disseminate effective interventions such as the EM. The impact of video Web sites on outcomes and costs of care is not known and warrants future study."
Several authors disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry and have served as expert witnesses in legal proceedings.
Abstract
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