Visualization Analysis of Acupuncture for the Treatment of Insomnia: A Scoping Literature Review Based on an International Database.

Abstract

Background: This study analyzed the research status, hotspots, and trends of acupuncture treatment for insomnia using bibliometrics and scientific knowledge mapping methods.

Methods: We searched for records associated with studies focusing on acupuncture treatment for insomnia collected from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC), from the establishment of the database to December 31, 2022, was retrieved. Visualization analysis was conducted using Excel 2021, CiteSpace 6.2.R5, and VOSviewer 1.6.19 software.

Results: A total of 873 articles were obtained from the WoSCC database. The annual publications showed an overall upward trend, especially from 2018 to 2022, with a rapid increase in publications. Literature output was concentrated in China and the United States, accounting for 43.41% and 22.4% of the total research output, respectively. The highest-yield journal was Medicine and the most cited journal was Sleep. Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine had the highest publication outputs (51 articles) and the strongest influence (0.18) among institutions. "Fibromyalgia" was the earliest and longest-lasting keyword. "Older adults" was the keyword with the highest burst intensity. The keywords "model," "stroke," "blind," "clinical practice guideline," "risk," "symptoms," "Shenmen (HT7)," and "Neiguan (PC6)" have been continuously trending, indicating that these keywords are current research hotspots and trends. In terms of acupoint selection, "HT7" and "PC6" acupoints are at the frontier of current research. In terms of disease types, poststroke insomnia treated with acupuncture has become a current research frontier. In terms of animal experiments, the mechanism of acupuncture treatment for insomnia through establishing rat models is at the forefront. Attention has been given to controlling bias risk in experiments, becoming a current hotspot and frontier.

Conclusion: This study comprehensively investigated the current status, hotspots, and frontier trends of acupuncture for insomnia. Its research hotspots included acupuncture for poststroke insomnia, and research trends were the mechanism of acupuncture treatment for insomnia through establishing rat models.