Global Cluster Analysis and Network Visualization in Musculoskeletal Pain Management: A Scientometric Mapping

Area of Science:

• * Bibliometrics and scientometrics
• * Health sciences research
• * Pain management and rheumatology

Background:

• * Musculoskeletal pain affects over 150 conditions, posing a global healthcare challenge.
• * Effective long-term pain management strategies require understanding current research.
• * This study analyzes global research trends in musculoskeletal pain management.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To provide a comprehensive overview of current research.
• * To identify global trends in musculoskeletal pain management literature.
• * To map the research landscape and predict future directions.

Main Methods:

• * Bibliometric analysis of 5475 articles (1972-2021) from the Science Citation Index-Expanded (SCIE).
• * VOSviewer software used for bibliographic coupling, co-authorship, co-citation, and co-occurrence analysis.
• * Included articles covered etiology, mechanisms, epidemiology, treatment, outcomes, side effects, and patient compliance.

Main Results:

• * Global publications on musculoskeletal pain management show a consistent annual increase.
• * The United States leads in publications, citations, and H-index.
• * Key research areas include prevention, rehabilitation, etiology, diagnosis, clinical studies, epidemiology, mental health, and education.

Conclusions:

• * The volume of research on musculoskeletal pain management is expected to continue growing.
• * Future research will likely prioritize high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
• * Epidemiological studies are predicted to become increasingly prevalent.