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Global research trends and knowledge structure of meta-analyses on pediatric pain: A bibliometric analysis
Seçil Taylan1, Fatma Dilek Turan2, İlknur Özkan3
1Department of Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Kumluca Health Sciences, Akdeniz University, Kumluca, Antalya, Turkey.
Insights
Research on pediatric pain meta-analyses shows rapid growth and global collaboration. The focus is shifting towards patient-centered outcomes, quality of life, and non-pharmacological pain management strategies.
Area of Science:
- Bibliometrics and scientometrics
- Evidence synthesis
- Pediatric healthcare research
Background:
- Pediatric pain is a significant clinical issue impacting children's recovery and well-being.
- Despite increased systematic reviews, the development of pediatric pain literature is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze global research trends in pediatric pain meta-analyses.
- To map collaboration patterns and thematic structures within this field.
Main Methods:
- Bibliometric analysis of publications from 1995-2026 in Web of Science.
- Utilized Bibliometrix package and Biblioshiny for trend, collaboration, and keyword analysis.
Main Results:
- 1720 publications from 666 sources identified, with significant growth post-2010.
- Concentrated publications in core journals, extensive international collaboration observed.
- Thematic shift towards patient-centered outcomes, quality of life, and non-pharmacological interventions.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric pain meta-analyses demonstrate rapid expansion, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a global research focus.
- Findings support evidence-informed practice for pediatric nurses, emphasizing holistic pain care.
Background:
Pediatric pain is a common and complex clinical concern affecting children and adolescents, with important implications for recovery, psychological well-being, and healthcare experiences. Although systematic reviews and meta-analyses on pediatric pain have increased in recent years, the overall development and knowledge structure of this evidence-synthesis-literature remain unclear.
Purpose:
This study aimed to examine global research trends, collaboration patterns, and the thematic structure of meta-analyses on pediatric pain using bibliometric methods.
Methods:
A bibliometric analysis was conducted using publications indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection. Meta-analyses on pediatric pain published between 1995 and 2026 were identified using predefined search strategies. Publication trends, core journals, author productivity, international collaboration networks, and keyword structures were analyzed using the Bibliometrix package in R and the Biblioshiny interface.
Results:
A total of 1720 publications from 666 sources were included. Scientific production increased markedly after 2010, indicating growing emphasis on evidence synthesis in pediatric pain research. Publications were concentrated in a limited number of core journals, and authorship patterns reflected extensive international collaboration. Thematic analyses revealed a shift from intervention efficacy toward patient-centered outcomes, quality of life, and non-pharmacological approaches.
Conclusion:
Meta-analyses on pediatric pain have expanded rapidly and reflect an increasingly interdisciplinary, globally collaborative, and patient-centered research landscape.
Implications For Practice:
Understanding the development of pediatric pain evidence synthesis may support pediatric nurses in strengthening evidence-informed pain assessment and management practices. The increasing emphasis on patient-centered outcomes highlights the importance of integrating functional, psychosocial, and quality-of-life considerations into routine pediatric pain care.
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