Bibliometric and Thematic Analysis of Global Neurocritical Care Research: Trends, Gaps and Collaboration

Neurocritical care is a rapidly evolving, multidisciplinary speciality. Understanding the research landscape is essential for identifying thematic priorities, gaps and patterns of collaboration that may influence evidence-based practice.

This bibliometric analysis aimed to examine the conceptual and collaborative structures within global neurocritical care research between 2014 and 2024.

Data were collected from the Scopus database, covering publications from 2014 to 2024. The search terms included 'neurocritical care' or 'neurological intensive care' or 'neuro ICU' or 'neurointensive care'. Bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Bibliometrix R package and VOSviewer. Conceptual structures were explored through co-occurrence mapping and thematic analysis. Social structures were examined through co-author analysis.

A total of 2762 articles were retrieved from the Scopus database. Traumatic brain injury, seizure monitoring, stroke, paediatric neurocritical care and disorders of consciousness were among the themes identified as foundational in the field. In contrast, seizure, EEG and epilepsy emerged as motor themes based on their higher centrality and density values. Several clinically important areas, including intracranial pressure monitoring, ethics and palliative care, appeared to be less central within the neurocritical care research landscape. Social structure analysis indicated that high-income countries occupy more central positions in global neurocritical care research networks, while participation from low- and middle-income countries remains comparatively limited.

While seizure-related research demonstrates strong thematic development, the broader integration of underrepresented areas, such as paediatric care, ethical decision-making and intracranial pressure monitoring, could contribute to more balanced scientific and clinical progress in neurocritical care.

Nurses and multidisciplinary ICU teams should prioritise underrepresented but clinically important areas of neurocritical care. Targeted research, stronger collaboration and the use of advanced technologies in monitoring and decision-making can improve early risk detection, care planning and patient- and family-centred outcomes.