Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40237650›Full record

ArticleJMIR serious games2025

Research Hotspots and Trends of Virtual Reality Intervention for Stroke: Bibliometric Analysis.

Yixin Wei, Yuan Chen, Runting Ma, Yitong Qiu, Wei Su, Li Zhang, Qiang Gao

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in JMIR serious games, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Yixin Wei *Rehabilitation Medicine Center and Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37 Guoxue Lane, Chengdu, 610041, China, 86 18980605992.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0002-0637-6933
Yuan Chen *Department of Pharmacy, Evidence-Based Pharmacy Center, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0797-1611
Runting MaRehabilitation Medicine Center and Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37 Guoxue Lane, Chengdu, 610041, China, 86 18980605992.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0002-3634-3016
Yitong QiuRehabilitation Medicine Center and Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37 Guoxue Lane, Chengdu, 610041, China, 86 18980605992.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8705-5519
Wei SuRehabilitation Medicine Center and Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37 Guoxue Lane, Chengdu, 610041, China, 86 18980605992.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3886-1650
Li ZhangRehabilitation Medicine Center and Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37 Guoxue Lane, Chengdu, 610041, China, 86 18980605992.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2652-9538
Qiang GaoRehabilitation Medicine Center and Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37 Guoxue Lane, Chengdu, 610041, China, 86 18980605992.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3603-749X

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Virtual reality (VR) is a rapidly developing technology that has gained significant traction in the treatment and rehabilitation of individuals with stroke. Research on VR-based stroke treatment has garnered increasing attention. Objective: The aim of this study is to present a bibliometric analysis of VR for stroke studies to identify the application status, research hotspots, and emerging trends and guide future scientific research. Methods: We included studies and reviews on the topic of VR-based stroke treatment and rehabilitation from 1999 to 2023 were retrieved from Web of Science Core Collection database. Citespace 6.3.1 and VOSviewer 1.6.20 software was used for the visual analysis of publications, institutions, authors, journals, citations, and Scimago Graphica software was used for the geographic visualization of published countries or regions. Results: Our study analyzed 1171 papers on VR-based stroke rehabilitation published between 1999 and 2023, revealing a gradual increase in annual publications over the past 2 decades, peaking at 154 in 2022. North America and Western Europe were identified as major contributors, with significant input from their institutions, researchers, and publications. The Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation emerged as the leading journal in this field, while Calabrò Rocco Salvatore was recognized as the most prolific author, focusing on the neurophysiological impacts of VR on patients with stroke. Keywords with notable citation bursts, such as "environment," "trial," "arm," and "motor learning," highlighted the core research themes in this domain. Conclusions: Our study provides valuable insights into the current research hotspots and emerging trends in VR-based stroke treatment and rehabilitation. Current research primarily focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of VR in improving upper limb function and balance in patients with stroke. Future directions are shifting towards integrating VR with rehabilitation techniques, such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy, while advancements in VR technology continue to garner increasing attention.

Indexed as

bibliometric analysishotspotsresearch trendsstrokevirtual reality

Identifiers

PMID40237650
PMCPMC12016672

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.