Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 27, 2026

Comparing Bibliometric Analysis Using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science Databases
Published on: October 24, 2019
A bibliometric analysis of acupuncture research in Taiwan from 1988 to 2017
Tsai-Feng Li1,2, Yen-Ying Kung3,4, Cheng-Hung Tsai3
1Institute of Traditional Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
Background:
Since Taiwan's national health insurance system provides residents with easy and affordable access to clinical acupuncture treatment, this study sought to analyze trends in the publication of acupuncture-related research in Taiwan from 1988 to 2017, using a bibliometric method.
Methods:
Data on the scholarly literature from 1988 to 2017 were retrieved through Web of Science searches for the keywords acupunct*, acupoint*, electroacupunct*, electro-acupunct*, acupre*, auricular acupunc*, and auricular needle* in study titles.
Results:
A total of 539 acupuncture-related articles published from 1988 to 2017 were identified and analyzed. The articles had an h-index of 38 and were cited in subsequent studies 7250 times, meaning that Taiwan ranked sixth in the production of such publications among countries/regions globally. Among those articles, 99 (18.4%) had no subsequent citations, six (1.1%) were highly cited (over 100 citations), and 141 (26.1%) were cited 4 to 10 times. The highly cited articles discussed the possible pathways of acupuncture stimulation and efficacy, and received 1103 (15.2%) of the citations.
Conclusion:
The China Medical University in Taichung, Taiwan, was the most active educational institution in Taiwan in terms of acupuncture-related research. Professor Lin Jaung-Geng was the leading acupuncture-related researcher, having the most publications, citations, and the highest h-index value. These results provided a context for analyzing the strengths of the existing research and informing prospective strategies for further studies.
Related Concept Videos
Qualitative Analysis
For instance, group IV...
Dimensional Analysis
Conversion Factors and Dimensional Analysis
The unit...
Dimensional Analysis
In fluid mechanics, dimensional...
Pedigree Analysis
Nodal Analysis
Consider, for instance, a simple circuit composed of three nodes and three resistors, as shown in...
Mesh Analysis
A fundamental concept in mesh analysis is the definition of meshes and mesh currents. A mesh is a closed...

