Application of light in delirium: a bibliometric analysis

Delirium is an acute neurocognitive disorder prevalent among older adults and critically ill patients. Light therapy has garnered growing interest as a potential non-pharmacologic intervention for delirium management. This study conducted a bibliometric analysis of Web of Science Core Collection publications to systematically evaluate research progress and evolutionary trends in light therapy for delirium.

Publications were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. Bibliometric parameters including temporal trends, geographical distribution, institutional affiliations, journal impact, author productivity, keyword co-occurrence, and thematic clusters were analyzed using VOSviewer, R-bibliometrix package, and CiteSpace.

Bibliometric analysis demonstrated a steady increase in annual publications, with the United States (US) contributing the highest output. Johns Hopkins University emerged as the most productive institution, while Yahya Shehabi and Melissa P. Knauert were identified as leading contributors. Nursing in Critical Care had the highest number of publications. Key research domains included" sleep," "intensive-care-unit," "mechanically ventilated patients," "critically-ill patients," "light," and so on.

The application of light in delirium is an evolving field, and further research is needed to build a well-established structural system to provide a scientific basis for clinical application. Future research should focus on specific populations, multifactorial interventions, and basic science research to strengthen the application of light therapy in the treatment of delirium.