The Evaluation of Videos about Branched-Chain Amino Acids Supplements on YouTube TM: A Multi-Approach Study

Abstract

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are one of the most controversial ergogenic aids in terms of effectiveness and safety. This study aimed to evaluate the quality and reliability of BCAA supplements related to English videos on YouTube™ and to synthesize with the sentiment–emotion analysis of comments on videos. The content analysis of the information on videos was evaluated with the use of DISCERN, Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria, and Global Quality Score (GQS). In addition, word cloud and sentiment and emotional analysis of comments in videos were performed with the R package. As a result, the mean ± standard error values of DISCERN, JAMA, and GQS scores of all videos were 29.27 ± 1.97, 1.95 ± 0.12, and 2.13 ± 0.17, respectively. It was found that advertisement-free videos have a significantly higher DISCERN and GQS score than advertisement-included videos (p < 0.05). A moderately significant positive correlation was determined between DISCERN score of video content and the positive sentiment of video comments (rs: 0.400, p = 0.002). In conclusion, it was determined that BCAA-related YouTube™ videos have mostly very poor quality in terms of content and that videos with higher quality may receive positive comments from viewers according to the DISCERN instrument.