Bibliometric Analysis of the Post-Stroke Depression (1985-2024)

Area of Science:

• Bibliometrics
• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a significant complication affecting stroke survivors' recovery and quality of life.
• Understanding the research landscape of PSD is crucial for advancing clinical practice and patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a bibliometric analysis of post-stroke depression (PSD) research from 1985 to 2024.
• To identify publication trends, key research themes, geographical contributions, and emerging areas in PSD.
• To provide insights for future research directions and clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• Bibliometric analysis of 3146 studies from the Web of Science Core Collection (1985-2024).
• Utilized VOSviewer and CiteSpace for keyword and thematic analysis.
• Identified publication trends, leading countries, core themes, and citation bursts.

Main Results:

• Significant increase in PSD publications post-2010, with China and the US as leading contributors.
• Core themes include prevalence, rehabilitation, quality of life, and recovery. Diverse clusters cover cognitive impairment, socioeconomic factors, caregiver roles, and cultural influences.
• Emerging trends like "healthcare professionals," "fatigue," and "meta-analysis" indicate a focus on interdisciplinary care, symptom complexity, and evidence synthesis.

Conclusions:

• The field has evolved from observational studies to multifaceted investigations of PSD's biological, psychological, and social dimensions.
• Future research should focus on multidisciplinary, culturally sensitive interventions and innovative therapies.
• Holistic rehabilitation models integrating physical and mental healthcare are essential for improving stroke survivor outcomes.