Electrophysiology in neuropathic pain: a bibliometric analysis and literature review

ObjectiveNeuropathic pain (NP), a prevalent chronic condition with increasing global incidence, mainly relies on electrophysiology (EP) to decode its mechanisms. However, existing research lacks systematic integration, failing to track hotspots and frontiers effectively. In this study, we used bibli...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yidan Cui, Chen Lv, Wenjian Yan, Lidan Zhang, Ning Sun, Xin Zhang, Zhen Zhong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Neuroscience
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2025.1616973/full
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850132058387513344
author Yidan Cui
Chen Lv
Wenjian Yan
Lidan Zhang
Ning Sun
Xin Zhang
Zhen Zhong
author_facet Yidan Cui
Chen Lv
Wenjian Yan
Lidan Zhang
Ning Sun
Xin Zhang
Zhen Zhong
author_sort Yidan Cui
collection DOAJ
description ObjectiveNeuropathic pain (NP), a prevalent chronic condition with increasing global incidence, mainly relies on electrophysiology (EP) to decode its mechanisms. However, existing research lacks systematic integration, failing to track hotspots and frontiers effectively. In this study, we used bibliometric analysis and systematic review to clarify technological breakthrough directions and facilitate the development of electrophysiological phenotype-based precision diagnostics.MethodsLiterature was retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). A total of 2,234 reviews and articles were obtained from 2005 to 2024. Statistics and visualization analysis were performed using Bibliometrix (R), VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and Microsoft Excel 2024.ResultsPublications and citations in this field are rising. The USA leads in publications (613, 27.44%) and academic impact (H-index = 96). China’s academic impact remains behind when compared to other countries. North American and Western European institutions form robust collaboration networks, whereas Asian institutions exhibit weaker regional partnerships. Authors with high production, such as Khanna, Rajesh and Waxman, Stephen G, and highly cited authors such as Woolf, CJ play a key leading role in the development of the field. Journals like Pain and Journal of Neuroscience are the cardinal dissemination mediums. Keyword analysis reveals research hotspot expands from the basic structure of “dorsal root ganglion” and” sensory neuron” to pain-related dynamic changes and disease prevalence characteristics. “Plasticity” and “connectivity” signaled a shift in research toward network mechanisms and precise interventions. “Woolf CJ, 2011” and “Dib-Hajj SD, 2010” have high citation and co-citation frequencies. The emergence of new directions such as “dynamic pain connectome” and “computational modeling research” reflects the trend of multidisciplinary integration.ConclusionFor the first time, we have constructed a complete lineage from basic research to clinical translation in this field, confirming the key role of EP technology in analyzing the mechanism of nociceptive sensitization, neuroplasticity, and neural network connectivity reconfiguration, which provides a basis for developing precise diagnostic and therapeutic solutions based on electrophysiological phenotypes. Future research should focus on technology standardization, cross-institutional data sharing, clinical translation, and connectomics-oriented individualized analgesic strategies to promote NP diagnosis and treatment toward precision, dynamics, and systematization.
format Article
id doaj-art-aa14ed8f7d8b402b8cdda7f7d972be7b
institution OA Journals
issn 1662-453X
language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Neuroscience
spelling doaj-art-aa14ed8f7d8b402b8cdda7f7d972be7b2025-08-20T02:32:19ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neuroscience1662-453X2025-06-011910.3389/fnins.2025.16169731616973Electrophysiology in neuropathic pain: a bibliometric analysis and literature reviewYidan CuiChen LvWenjian YanLidan ZhangNing SunXin ZhangZhen ZhongObjectiveNeuropathic pain (NP), a prevalent chronic condition with increasing global incidence, mainly relies on electrophysiology (EP) to decode its mechanisms. However, existing research lacks systematic integration, failing to track hotspots and frontiers effectively. In this study, we used bibliometric analysis and systematic review to clarify technological breakthrough directions and facilitate the development of electrophysiological phenotype-based precision diagnostics.MethodsLiterature was retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). A total of 2,234 reviews and articles were obtained from 2005 to 2024. Statistics and visualization analysis were performed using Bibliometrix (R), VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and Microsoft Excel 2024.ResultsPublications and citations in this field are rising. The USA leads in publications (613, 27.44%) and academic impact (H-index = 96). China’s academic impact remains behind when compared to other countries. North American and Western European institutions form robust collaboration networks, whereas Asian institutions exhibit weaker regional partnerships. Authors with high production, such as Khanna, Rajesh and Waxman, Stephen G, and highly cited authors such as Woolf, CJ play a key leading role in the development of the field. Journals like Pain and Journal of Neuroscience are the cardinal dissemination mediums. Keyword analysis reveals research hotspot expands from the basic structure of “dorsal root ganglion” and” sensory neuron” to pain-related dynamic changes and disease prevalence characteristics. “Plasticity” and “connectivity” signaled a shift in research toward network mechanisms and precise interventions. “Woolf CJ, 2011” and “Dib-Hajj SD, 2010” have high citation and co-citation frequencies. The emergence of new directions such as “dynamic pain connectome” and “computational modeling research” reflects the trend of multidisciplinary integration.ConclusionFor the first time, we have constructed a complete lineage from basic research to clinical translation in this field, confirming the key role of EP technology in analyzing the mechanism of nociceptive sensitization, neuroplasticity, and neural network connectivity reconfiguration, which provides a basis for developing precise diagnostic and therapeutic solutions based on electrophysiological phenotypes. Future research should focus on technology standardization, cross-institutional data sharing, clinical translation, and connectomics-oriented individualized analgesic strategies to promote NP diagnosis and treatment toward precision, dynamics, and systematization.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2025.1616973/fullneuropathic painelectrophysiologybibliometricsCiteSpaceVOSviewer
spellingShingle Yidan Cui
Chen Lv
Wenjian Yan
Lidan Zhang
Ning Sun
Xin Zhang
Zhen Zhong
Electrophysiology in neuropathic pain: a bibliometric analysis and literature review
Frontiers in Neuroscience
neuropathic pain
electrophysiology
bibliometrics
CiteSpace
VOSviewer
title Electrophysiology in neuropathic pain: a bibliometric analysis and literature review
title_full Electrophysiology in neuropathic pain: a bibliometric analysis and literature review
title_fullStr Electrophysiology in neuropathic pain: a bibliometric analysis and literature review
title_full_unstemmed Electrophysiology in neuropathic pain: a bibliometric analysis and literature review
title_short Electrophysiology in neuropathic pain: a bibliometric analysis and literature review
title_sort electrophysiology in neuropathic pain a bibliometric analysis and literature review
topic neuropathic pain
electrophysiology
bibliometrics
CiteSpace
VOSviewer
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2025.1616973/full
work_keys_str_mv AT yidancui electrophysiologyinneuropathicpainabibliometricanalysisandliteraturereview
AT chenlv electrophysiologyinneuropathicpainabibliometricanalysisandliteraturereview
AT wenjianyan electrophysiologyinneuropathicpainabibliometricanalysisandliteraturereview
AT lidanzhang electrophysiologyinneuropathicpainabibliometricanalysisandliteraturereview
AT ningsun electrophysiologyinneuropathicpainabibliometricanalysisandliteraturereview
AT xinzhang electrophysiologyinneuropathicpainabibliometricanalysisandliteraturereview
AT zhenzhong electrophysiologyinneuropathicpainabibliometricanalysisandliteraturereview