Mapping the Mind-Body Connections: A Two-decade Bibliometric Exploration of Yoga and Psychoneuroimmunology.

Abstract

Background: Over the past two decades, the intersection of yoga and psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) has received significant attention as a promising field for promoting mental and immune well-being. This bibliometric analysis explores global research trends, prolific authors, influential journals and collaboration patterns from 2003 to 2023. The study underscores the need to integrate traditional knowledge with modern science, positioning yoga as a validated tool in mainstream healthcare for disease prevention and management.

Purpose: This study aims to explore global contributions, impact trends in yoga and PNI research, prolific authors, journals and spotlight leading countries, emerging opportunities, influential research hubs and collaboration gaps. Additionally, to conduct thematic analysis aimed at integrating yoga into mainstream healthcare as a scientifically validated tool for promoting mental and immune well-being within the context of PNI.

Methods: Articles published between 2003 and 2023 were retrieved from Scopus and analysed using Biblioshiny version 4.0.0 (via R-Studio) and VOSviewer.

Results: A total of 2,173 publications were included. The average number of citations per document was 50.24. Although India is the birthplace of yoga, it still ranks fifth in terms of citations, behind the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia. It was observed that around 30%-50% of India's publications (n = 239) involve international collaboration. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research and National Institute of Health dominate the funding landscape, whereas Indian funding agencies (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy, Indian Council of Medical Research and Department of Science and Technology) play a relatively minor role in the global context.

Conclusion: This analysis provides an updated perspective for understanding the field's hotspot, which facilitates future research to uncover the mechanisms underlying the effects of yoga on the psycho-neuro-immuno-endocrine systems in disease prevention and management. Integration of traditional knowledge with modern scientific practices, with a focus on high-impact publishing, will help position India as a leader in this research domain.