Mapping the Evolution of Communication Partner Training for Dementia Caregivers: A Bibliometric Analysis (1981-2025)

Communication decline in dementia creates substantial challenges for caregivers struggling to maintain meaningful connections. Communication partner training (CPT) has emerged as a critical intervention; however, no comprehensive analysis has mapped the evolution of this research domain.

To conduct the first bibliometric analysis mapping the evolution of CPT research in dementia caregiving over four decades, identifying its intellectual foundations, geographic distribution, and emerging research directions.

We analyzed 1280 Web of Science-indexed publications (1981-July 2025) using performance metrics and VOSviewer science mapping to delineate trajectories, clusters, and networks.

Publication output increased markedly after 2010, with the USA contributing to 42.3% of articles. The most-cited publications addressed broad caregiving challenges rather than CPT specifically, demonstrating that specialized communication interventions have evolved from foundational caregiving frameworks. Five thematic clusters emerged: (1) communication-centered interventions, (2) non-pharmacological symptom management, (3) psychological burden and cultural adaptation, (4) stress and institutional care transitions, and (5) digital platforms. Geographic analysis revealed a concentration in high-income Anglophone countries, with limited representation from low- and middle-income countries. Many regions with rapidly aging populations and high projected dementia burden, such as Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America, contribute relatively few publications to this corpus. The field has evolved from foundational work on general caregiving challenges to increasingly specialized communication interventions and recent digital innovations.

This exploratory mapping reveals that CPT research has evolved from embedded components within general caregiving interventions into increasingly specialized programs, predominantly delivered face-to-face, with an emerging interest in technology-enhanced delivery. Future priorities include expanding research in underrepresented regions, developing culturally adapted interventions, and exploring hybrid delivery models to ensure equitable global access to communication support for dementia care. These priorities can guide funders, clinicians, and policymakers in targeting investments toward contextually relevant, scalable CPT models, particularly in low- and middle-income settings where communication support is underdeveloped.