Research Trends and Collaboration Networks in Acupuncture Treatment for Intervertebral Disc Herniation: A Bibliometric Analysis Based on PubMed

Abstract

This bibliometric study analyzes research trends in acupuncture treatment for intervertebral disc herniation (IDH) from 2005 to 2025 using the PubMed database. Frequency co-occurrence analysis, clustering techniques, and network visualization were employed to identify research hotspots, international collaboration patterns, key institutions, and leading authors. Results showed a rapid increase in publications, reflecting growing academic interest in acupuncture for IDH. China and Korea emerged as primary contributors, with the Jaseng Spine and Joint Research Institute in Korea playing a central role in output and collaboration. Research topics covered a range of acupuncture techniques, including manual acupuncture, electroacupuncture, and acupotomy, focusing on clinical efficacy, mechanisms, and randomized controlled trials. Keyword analysis revealed that current research predominantly explores clinical applications, population characteristics, acupuncture techniques, and efficacy evaluation. Journal distribution highlighted the field's interdisciplinary nature, influenced by neuroscience and complementary medicine. Despite significant progress, the study emphasizes the need for further multicenter, high-quality clinical trials and mechanistic studies to better integrate acupuncture with modern medicine. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the field, offering insights to guide future research and clinical practice development.