Analysis of youtube as a source of information for peripheral neuropathy.
BACKGROUND
YouTube is an important resource for patients. No study has evaluated the information on peripheral neuropathy disseminated by YouTube videos. In this study, our aim was to perform a systematic review of information on YouTube regarding peripheral neuropathy.


METHODS
The Web site (www.youtube.com) was searched between September 19 and 21, 2014, for the terms "neuropathy," "peripheral neuropathy," "diabetic neuropathy," "neuropathy causes," and "neuropathy treatment."


RESULTS
Two hundred videos met the inclusion criteria. Healthcare professionals accounted for almost half of the treatment videos (41 of 92; 44.6%), and most came from chiropractors (18 of 41; 43.9%). Alternative medicine was cited most frequently among the treatment discussions (54 of 145, 37.2%), followed by devices (38 of 145, 26.2%), and pharmacological treatments (23 of 145, 15.9%).


CONCLUSIONS
Approximately half of the treatment options discussed in the videos were not evidence-based. Caution should be exercised when YouTube videos are used as a patient resource.
Department of Neurology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham Street, Slot # 500, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72205, USA.
Harsh V
HV
Gupta
Department of Neurology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham Street, Slot # 500, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72205, USA.
Ricky W
RW
Lee
Department of Community medicine, Dr. RP Government Medical College, Kangra, HP, India.
Sunil K
SK
Raina
Department of Neurology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham Street, Slot # 500, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72205, USA.
Brian L
BL
Behrle
Department of Neurology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham Street, Slot # 500, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72205, USA.
Archana
A
Hinduja
Department of Neurology, Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas city, Kansas, USA.
Manoj K
MK
Mittal
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination / Q000379:methods*; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014741:Video Recording / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
YouTube; complications; etiology; neuropathy; symptoms; treatment