A bibliometric analysis of the development trend of Tuina research: Based on the Web of Science (WOS) platform

Tuina has been proven to significantly relieve symptoms, demonstrating its clinical value. With the growth of related research, a comprehensive review is urgently needed to promote its development. This study aims to clarify the collaboration and current research status in the field of Tuina research using bibliometric analysis, and to discuss future directions.

On February 4, 2023, the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database was searched using the keywords "tuina," "tui-na," "tui na," and "Chinese massage" to collect literature related to Tuina from its inception until December 31, 2022. The collected literature included all types of research articles and reviews. VOSviewer, CiteSpace, Pajek, and Scimago Graphica were utilized to perform a visual analysis of annual publication volume, as well as publication volume and collaboration networks of different countries, institutions, and authors, along with journal publication volume and keyword network analysis.

A total of 761 publications were included in the analysis, with the total number of papers showed an increasing trend over time. The countries and institutions with the most publications were China and Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, respectively. The authors who contributed the most were Min Fang, Qingguang Zhu, Zhiwei Wu, Lingjun Kong and Yufeng Wang. The most widely published journal in the field was the Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science. The clinical efficacy evaluation of Tuina therapy for musculoskeletal and spinal diseases, apoplexy sequelae, chronic diseases, and pediatric diseases were research hotspots and developing trends in this field.

The research on Tuina has been increasing year by year. Currently, the focus of Tuina research lies in clinical studies, including the treatment of skeletal muscle and spinal diseases, stroke sequelae, chronic diseases, and pediatric illnesses, with pediatric Tuina emerging as a hot topic of research. Basic research in this field is relatively scarce, and the mechanisms of action of this therapy have not yet been fully elucidated. Future efforts in this area should aim to strengthen basic research and promote cooperation among international institutions.