Mapping rehabilitation interventions for long COVID and post-viral syndromes: a bibliometric and thematic analysis of PubMed-indexed literature, 2020-2025.

Abstract

The health care community has moved from emergency response models to sustained recovery models for the rehabilitation of post-acute sequelae of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, commonly referred to as long COVID. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive bibliometric visualization and thematic analysis of global research output from 2020 to 2025 on rehabilitation interventions for long COVID and related post-viral disorders. The PubMed database was systematically searched to retrieve bibliometric records. VOSviewer and Biblioshiny were used to conduct a multidimensional analysis. Key metrics included annual scientific production, Lotka's law for author productivity, Bradford's law for core source identification, and country collaboration mapping. The life-cycle model (R2=0.929) indicated that the field evolved in a predictable pattern, with continuous and accelerated development. However, the projected stabilization should be interpreted as a description of initial growth rather than as definitive evidence of disciplinary maturity. Scientific output in this area increased sharply and peaked in 2024. Thematic visualization identified 3 broad thematic groupings. Lotka's law indicated a dispersed and fragmented research community, with approximately 90% of authors contributing only 1 document. Physiotherapy research for long COVID has shifted from early pulmonary-centered approaches toward more interdisciplinary models focused on cognitive health and fatigue.