A Bibliometric Review of Actigraphy-Based Sleep Research in Diabetes

Actigraphy is a valuable tool for objectively assessing sleep patterns, with growing interest in its application to sleep research in patients with diabetes mellitus. Sleep disturbances are increasingly recognized as modifiable risk factors for metabolic dysregulation, yet the research landscape in this domain remains unclear. This bibliometric analysis aimed to evaluate global research trends, influential contributors, and thematic developments in actigraphy, sleep, and diabetes. Data were retrieved from PubMed, covering the period from 2005 to 2024, and analyzed using Biblioshiny and VOSviewer to assess publication growth, collaboration networks, keyword co-occurrence, and thematic evolution. A total of 203 publications from 101 sources were identified, with an annual growth rate of 18.11%, indicating rising research interest. Contributions from 1,170 authors demonstrated strong collaboration, with 10.84% of studies involving international co-authorship. Core journals, including SLEEP, SLEEP MEDICINE, and JOURNAL OF SLEEP RESEARCH, played a dominant role, while institutions such as Kyoto University and the University of Illinois at Chicago emerged as leading research hubs. Thematic analysis revealed a transition from foundational studies on glucose metabolism and polysomnography to investigations of circadian rhythms, actigraphy-based sleep monitoring, and metabolic health. Recent trends highlight emerging topics such as gestational diabetes and mental health, signaling shifting research priorities. While collaboration networks indicate strong regional clusters, greater international partnerships are needed to improve research diversity and applicability. This study highlights the expanding role of actigraphy in sleep and diabetes research, with implications for adaptive medicine, artificial intelligence-driven sleep analytics, and digital health interventions.