Trends in Mixed Pain Research Over Three Decades (1993-2024): A Bibliometric Analysis

Area of Science:

• Pain Research
• Bibliometrics
• Clinical Practice

Background:

• Mixed pain, encompassing nociceptive, neuropathic, and nociplastic mechanisms, lacks a formal definition despite frequent clinical use.
• The inconsistent terminology and understanding of mixed pain necessitate a comprehensive review of existing literature.
• This study addresses the need for clarity by analyzing publication trends and research networks in mixed pain.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a bibliometric analysis of mixed pain literature.
• To explore publication trends, citation patterns, and research collaboration networks.
• To identify key themes and research clusters within the field of mixed pain.

Main Methods:

• Bibliometric analysis utilizing the Web of Science Core Collection.
• Data extraction included publication volume, citation counts, co-authorship, and keyword mapping.
• Journal rankings were based on Journal Citation Reports™ 2022.

Main Results:

• A total of 229 publications were identified, showing a rising trend in output and citations.
• The majority of studies were published in high-impact Q1 journals, primarily as research articles.
• The USA, Italy, and Germany were leading contributors, but international collaboration was limited, with weak co-authorship links.

Conclusions:

• Despite increased publications in top-tier journals, the mixed pain field lacks a robust collaborative network and clear keyword associations.
• The analysis highlights the need for improved international cooperation and further high-quality research.
• Addressing these gaps is crucial for advancing the clinical understanding and management of mixed pain.