Executive functions in children with ADHD: A comprehensive bibliometric analysis

Executive functions, which are closely associated with the functioning of the frontal lobes, encompass a set of cognitive processes that enable individuals to better adapt to their environment. It is known that individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have deficiencies in executive functions. To the best of our knowledge, no study has used bibliometric analysis to investigate the issue of executive functions in children with ADHD. This study employed the bibliometric analysis software VOS viewer and the statistical computing platform RStudio to examine 905 studies. This study reveals a notable increase in international research on executive functions in children with ADHD over the years. The highest number of publications on executive functions in children with ADHD are the Journal of Attention Disorders, Child Neuropsychology, and Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology. In the early years of this research field, there was a greater emphasis on brain imaging studies, including evoked potentials, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and evoked-related potentials. As time progressed, greater emphasis was placed on variables within the living environment. This research provides a comprehensive examination of global studies on executive functions in children diagnosed with ADHD, considering a multitude of variables. The findings presented here will inform forthcoming studies in this area, which will contribute to the accumulation of knowledge in this field.