While many YouTube videos about myasthenia gravis (MG) have moderate-to-high quality information, far fewer are truly useful for people trying to understand and manage the disease, according to a recent study published in the journal Muscle & Nerve.
The study looked at the top 50 English-language videos on MG as of Dec. 3, 2024. Researchers used specific tools to rate each video’s accuracy, usefulness and comprehensiveness.
Frequently covered topics included symptoms (84%) and treatments (70%), while rehabilitation (8%) and long-term management (10%) were rarely addressed. This is a gap, since MG is a chronic condition and people often need help navigating life beyond just a diagnosis and medication.
Videos made by healthcare professionals were generally more reliable but often skipped over patient-centered topics like rehabilitation, coping strategies and lifestyle changes. On the other hand, videos shared by individuals with MG tended to focus more on their personal experience than on educational content.
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The study also found that longer videos tended to have greater educational value and also attracted greater viewer engagement, as indicated by higher numbers of likes and comments.
But the researchers warned that high view counts and engagement do not always mean that videos are of high quality. Some of the most-watched videos actually had low-quality ratings. This might be because YouTube promotes content based on views and engagement, rather than scientific accuracy. “In rare and complex conditions like MG, this may lead to the widespread dissemination of incomplete or misleading information,” the researchers said.
The authors noted this highlights a real challenge: people looking for help may end up watching videos that are popular but not very helpful — or even misleading. To fix this problem, healthcare professionals need to not only create trustworthy content, but also make it engaging and easy to find.
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