Quality of Popular Online Resources About Vestibular Migraine

Abstract

Abstract Objective To evaluate the readability, understandability, actionability, and accuracy of online resources covering vestibular migraine (VM). Study Design Cross‐sectional descriptive study design. Setting Digital collection of websites appearing on Google search. Methods Google searches were conducted to identify common online resources for VM. We examined readability using the Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) and Flesch‐Kincaid Grade Level scores, understandability and actionability using the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT), and accuracy by comparing the website contents to the consensus definition of “probable vestibular migraine.” Results Eleven of the most popular websites were analyzed. Flesch‐Kincaid Grade Level averaged at a 13th‐grade level (range: 9th‐18th). FRE scores averaged 35.5 (range: 9.1‐54.4). No website had a readability grade level at the US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality recommended 5th‐grade level or an equivalent FRE score of 90 or greater. Understandability scores varied ranging from 49% to 88% (mean 70%). Actionability scores varied more, ranging from 12% to 87% (mean 44%). There was substantial inter‐rater agreement for both PEMAT understandability scoring (mean κ = 0.76, SD = 0.08) and actionability scoring (mean κ = 0.65, SD = 0.08). Three sites included all 3 “probable vestibular migraine” diagnostic criteria as worded in the consensus statement. Conclusion The quality of online resources for VM is poor overall in terms of readability, actionability, and agreement with diagnostic criteria.

Keywords

• actionability
• Flesch‐Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL)
• Flesch Reading Ease (FRE)
• health literacy
• Internet
• patient education