Temporomandibular Eklem Ağrısı için Egzersizle ilgili Çevrimiçi Bilgilerin İçeriğinin, Kalitesinin ve Okunabilirliğinin İncelenmesi

Abstract

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain is a widespread health issue causing discomfort, pain, and distress in the jaw joint and surrounding muscles. It significantly impacts daily activities and diminishes the overall quality of life. As individuals increasingly turn to online platforms for health information, the accuracy and reliability of such information become pivotal. The accuracy, quality, and reliability of online information, especially concerning therapeutic exercises like those for TMJ pain, are of paramount importance. This study aims to assess the content, quality, and readability of online information related to TMJ pain exercises in the Turkish language. A total of 54 websites obtained from Google searches using the keyword "jaw pain exercises" were examined. Evaluation criteria included Ateshman Readability Scale, DISCERN, and JAMA, which were employed to assess medical accuracy, content quality, clarity, and suitability for the general readership. The results revealed that the online information on these platforms generally lacked quality and was not sufficiently understandable for the intended audience, particularly patients. Many sites provided incomplete or vague information about the correct techniques for exercises, potentially leading to incorrect applications by patients, adversely affecting their treatment outcomes. These findings highlight the deficiency and inaccuracy of exercise guidelines available on online platforms, posing a potential risk to patients' treatment processes. It emphasizes the importance of healthcare professionals monitoring online resources, ensuring their accuracy, and making them more comprehensible. Access to accurate and reliable information is crucial for patients, empowering them to make informed decisions about their health and treatment options.