Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42625412›Full record

ArticlePain research & management2026

Cluster Analysis of Global Research Hotspots and Thematic Evolution in Chronic Migraine: A Bibliometric Study (1917-2024).

Hongxu Chen, Qihui Chen, Yang Yang, Qijun Yu, Yonghui Pan, Jinghan Lin

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Pain research & management, 2026. 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

6 authors.

Hongxu ChenDepartment of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China, hrbmu.edu.cn.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2584-126X
Qihui ChenDepartment of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China, hrbmu.edu.cn.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0008-6369-5782
Yang YangDepartment of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China, hrbmu.edu.cn.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0000-1564-5846
Qijun YuDepartment of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China, hrbmu.edu.cn.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4194-1129
Yonghui PanDepartment of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China, hrbmu.edu.cn.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3094-3811
Jinghan LinDepartment of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China, hrbmu.edu.cn.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7453-3967

Funding

Harbin Medical University 2024YQ22Heilongjiang Province Postdoctoral Research Start-Up Fund 21042240057National Natural Science Foundation of China 82071549Natural Science Foundation of Heilongjiang Province 2023ZX06C02
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundChronic migraine is a prevalent and disabling neurological disorder with substantial impact on patients' quality of life. Understanding the thematic structure and evolution of chronic migraine research is critical for guiding future studies and clinical practice. This study utilized cluster analysis to map research hotspots, thematic developments, and emerging trends in the global literature on chronic migraine.

methodsRelevant publications on chronic migraine from 1917 to 2024 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. Bibliometric and cluster analyses were performed using VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and R 4.3.3, focusing on keyword co-occurrence, thematic clustering, and citation burst analysis to identify research hotspots and their evolution.

resultsA total of 6366 articles were included. Cluster analysis of high-frequency keywords identified five major research clusters: (1) Pathophysiological mechanisms and molecular targets, (2) epidemiology, comorbidities, and quality of life, (3) clinical trials and therapeutic strategies, (4) diagnosis and classification, and (5) regional and national burden. Thematic evolution analysis revealed a shift from early focus on epidemiology and symptomatology to recent emphasis on gene-related peptides, preventive therapies, and resistance mechanisms. Burst keyword analysis highlighted emerging topics such as "calcitonin gene-related peptide," "preventive treatment," and "central sensitization," reflecting a growing interest in novel biologics and mechanisms of treatment resistance. The United States led in publication volume and collaboration, with Headache, Cephalalgia, and Neurology as core journals and Harvard University and the Mayo Clinic as the leading institutions.

conclusionsCluster analysis identified five core research areas in chronic migraine and revealed a shift from epidemiological description to molecular mechanisms and individualized treatment. Future research is likely to focus on integrating pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions to further optimize patient outcomes.

Indexed as

BibliometricsBiomedical ResearchMigraine DisordersChronic DiseaseCluster AnalysisHumansbibliometric analysischronic migraineCiteSpaceglobal trendsVOSviewer

Identifiers

PMID42625412
PMCPMC13494518

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
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.