Bibliometric Analysis of Global Research on Radiofrequency in Chronic Pain Treatment
Fan Feng1, Yongzhi Fan1, Qianqian Xu2
1Department of Pain Management, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
Background:
Chronic pain is a significant global health challenge, often resistant to conventional treatments, which has led to increased interest in minimally invasive interventions such as radiofrequency (RF) techniques. Over the past 2 decades, clinicians and researchers have extensively studied and utilized RF for chronic pain management. Despite its growing clinical use, the evidence supporting the efficacy of RF remains inconsistent, with outcomes varying due to differences in study design, patient selection, and procedural techniques. To improve the understanding of the current research landscape, this study conducts a bibliometric analysis with the aim of summarizing and visualizing the evolution of, research hot spots within, and future trends in the use of RF for chronic pain treatment. The findings aim to inform directions for future research and optimize the application of RF techniques in clinical practice.
Objective:
This research endeavors to perform a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of global research on the use of RF in chronic pain treatment, focusing on identifying major contributing countries, institutions, journals, and authors, assessing the knowledge base, tracking trends in research hot spots, and exploring emerging topics within the field.
Study Design:
A bibliometric analysis.
Methods:
We searched the Web of Science (WoS) database for articles published between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2024. CiteSpace and VOSviewer were utilized to perform bibliometric analysis and visualization.
Results:
After all the data were gathered, 719 documents in total were classified and subjected to a detailed analysis that employed the aforementioned tools. The annual number of publications about the use of RF in chronic pain treatment showed a continuous growth trend that reached its peak in 2020. The United States, China, and South Korea were recognized as the most productive countries. Key institutions driving advancements included Yeungnam University, the University of Wisconsin, and Harvard Medical School. Among the authors, Min Cheol Chang and Alaa Abd-Elsayed led in productivity, while Steven P. Cohen stood as the most influential co-cited author, reflecting his foundational contributions to RF clinical applications and guidelines. Among all the journals, Pain Physician and Pain Medicine published the greatest number of relevant papers. Keyword bursts included "radiofrequency ablation," "pain management," and "postherpetic neuralgia," which were hot topics and frontiers in the research field.
Limitations:
We analyzed only publications indexed in the WoS because most indicators required for bibliometric analysis could be extracted efficiently from its Web site.
Conclusion:
This bibliometric analysis synthesizes 2 decades of global research on the use of RF for chronic pain, highlighting contributions from leading nations, institutions, journals, and authors. Keyword trends reflect a shift from foundational studies on thermal mechanisms to clinical validation and innovation in precision targeting and refractory pain subtypes. Further randomized controlled trials, interdisciplinary collaboration, and long-term outcome assessments are warranted to boost the therapeutic potential of RF for diverse chronic pain populations.
