TY - JOUR
T1 - #Scoliosis
T2 - an analysis of patient perception of scoliosis on TikTok
AU - Aflatooni, Justin O.
AU - Loving, Robert
AU - Holderread, Brendan M.
AU - Liberman, Shari R.
AU - Harris, Joshua D.
N1 - Copyright © 2023 Baylor University Medical Center.
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - BACKGROUND: Social media presents an opportunity to analyze popular opinion about patient experiences. Idiopathic scoliosis is a spinal pathology commonly identified in younger patients who are the largest users of social media.OBJECTIVE: To analyze posts on the social media platform, TikTok, to better understand the scoliotic patient condition.METHODS: TikTok posts were searched manually by screening for "#Scoliosis." Variables assessed included number of likes, conveyed tone, gender, activities of daily living, incisional scar, imaging, involved spine level, spinal curvature, pain, formal physical therapy, multiple operations/reoperation, brace use, self-image, mobility, and educational/awareness posts. Number of responses per category were evaluated for the total they represented and the percentage of available posts containing those elements. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated for each collected variable.RESULTS: More posts were positive than negative (
P < 0.001) and from female users than male users (
P < 0.001). Self-image was the most prevalent subject, with many posts not mentioning activities of daily living, incisional scars, imaging, pain, physical therapy, timing, awareness/education, or involved spine levels.
CONCLUSIONS: More females post about scoliosis than males, with most posts containing positive self-image-related themes. This may represent a positive public attitude about scoliosis; however, further research is needed.
AB - BACKGROUND: Social media presents an opportunity to analyze popular opinion about patient experiences. Idiopathic scoliosis is a spinal pathology commonly identified in younger patients who are the largest users of social media.OBJECTIVE: To analyze posts on the social media platform, TikTok, to better understand the scoliotic patient condition.METHODS: TikTok posts were searched manually by screening for "#Scoliosis." Variables assessed included number of likes, conveyed tone, gender, activities of daily living, incisional scar, imaging, involved spine level, spinal curvature, pain, formal physical therapy, multiple operations/reoperation, brace use, self-image, mobility, and educational/awareness posts. Number of responses per category were evaluated for the total they represented and the percentage of available posts containing those elements. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated for each collected variable.RESULTS: More posts were positive than negative (
P < 0.001) and from female users than male users (
P < 0.001). Self-image was the most prevalent subject, with many posts not mentioning activities of daily living, incisional scars, imaging, pain, physical therapy, timing, awareness/education, or involved spine levels.
CONCLUSIONS: More females post about scoliosis than males, with most posts containing positive self-image-related themes. This may represent a positive public attitude about scoliosis; however, further research is needed.
KW - Scoliosis
KW - TikTok
KW - scoliosis perception
KW - social media
KW - spinal fusion
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U2 - 10.1080/08998280.2023.2249371
DO - 10.1080/08998280.2023.2249371
M3 - Article
C2 - 37829238
AN - SCOPUS:85169149651
SN - 0899-8280
VL - 36
SP - 671
EP - 674
JO - Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings
JF - Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings
IS - 6
ER -