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. 2019 Jun 11;12(6):1186-1189.
doi: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2019.05.009.

How to Peddle Hope: An Analysis of YouTube Patient Testimonials of Unproven Stem Cell Treatments

Bethany Hawke  1 , Alexandra R Przybylo  2 , Danielle Paciulli  3 , Timothy Caulfield  4 , Amy Zarzeczny  5 , Zubin Master  6
Affiliations

How to Peddle Hope: An Analysis of YouTube Patient Testimonials of Unproven Stem Cell Treatments

Bethany Hawke et al. Stem Cell Reports. .

Abstract

Providers capitalize on patient testimonials to market unproven stem cell treatments (SCTs). We evaluated 159 YouTube videos and found patients discussed health improvements (91.2%), praised providers (53.5%), and recommended SCTs (28.9%). In over a third of the videos, providers posed questions to patients, thereby directing narratives and making them a powerful marketing tool.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Countries Mentioned by Patients (A) Countries patients travelling from. (B) Countries patients travelling to.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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