Research hotspots and trends in the antioxidant effects of acupuncture: A bibliometric analysis from 2003 to 2024

Oxidative stress is an important factor mediating the pathologic progression of many diseases. In recent years, the antioxidant effects of acupuncture have been gradually confirmed. However, bibliometric analysis in this field, which is still lacking. This study aimed to explore the current state of research and recent trends in the regulating of oxidative stress by acupuncture using bibliometric methods.

Articles pertaining to the acupuncture antioxidant effects were systematically retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database, encompassing the temporal scope from inception to September 6, 2024. Countries, publications, authors, co-citations, and keywords were visualized and analyzed using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and R software.

A total of 438 articles have been published in the field, with the number increasing yearly. Chinese scholars constitute a significant force in the domain of research pertaining to this field. Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine is the institution with the highest number of publications. Cunzhi Liu (17) is the author with the highest number of publications. The journals with the most publications (39) and citations (652) are EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE. Basic research is the main type of research. Both co-cited literature analysis and keyword examination have indicated neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and stroke, as prominent research domains. Electroacupuncture is the most common intervention. Pain and inflammation may be a trend in research in this area.

This bibliometric analysis summarises the disease mapping and some of the mechanisms of acupuncture's antioxidant effects. Neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease, vascular dementia, and stroke are major research areas in this field. Pain and inflammation may be a direction for future research.