Bibliometric Visualization and Google Trends Analysis of Electroacupuncture Analgesia

Authors

  • Yuxuan Cui School of Public Health and Nursing, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
  • Han Shi School of Public Health and Nursing, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
  • Yuying Wu School of Public Health and Nursing, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
  • Yanru Pan School of Public Health and Nursing, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
  • Yunhan Shao School of Public Health and Nursing, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
  • Jiaqi Xu School of Public Health and Nursing, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
  • Lijun Hu School of Public Health and Nursing, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
  • Jialu Weng School of Public Health and Nursing, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
  • Lin Ye School of Public Health and Nursing, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
  • Yanfei Xu Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hangzhou 310025, China
  • Feilin Ni Hangzhou Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hangzhou 310025, China
  • Haiyang Lu Hangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Hangzhou 310020, China
  • Xiaoying Tong Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
  • Shihua Cao School of Public Health and Nursing, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62836/amr.v4i1.530

Keywords:

electroacupuncture therapy, bibliometrics, Google Trends, pain management, scope review

Abstract

Objective: To explore research hotspots and trends in the application of electroacupuncture techniques in the field of pain management, providing reference for further studies. Methods: We retrieved relevant literature from the Web of Science Core Collection database covering 1 January 2006, to 15 August 2025. Using CiteSpace software, we generated visualization maps based on publication regions, institutions, authors, and keywords to investigate research hotspots and development trends in this domain. Concurrently, Bibliometrix 5.1.0 software and Google Trends were employed to obtain corresponding public search trends, evaluating the relationship between academic research intensity and public attention. Results: A total of 542 articles were included. Publication volume initially increased then declined; core regions exhibited close collaboration; authors primarily engaged in intra-team cooperation; topics like “chronic pain” and ‘migraine’ were hotspots aligning academic and public interest, while “electroacupuncture” showed a recognition gap. Conclusions: Current electroacupuncture analgesia research focuses on neurobiological mechanisms, acupoint and parameter optimization, and combined applications. Research exhibits phased development with gaps between academic and public understanding. Development remains uneven across institutions, authors, and regions, with limited cross-team, cross-regional, and international collaboration—most partnerships being internal. Future efforts should strengthen multi-stakeholder cooperation, address knowledge gaps through science communication, integrate with smart technologies for enhanced clinical relevance, and elevate practical value.

References

Sun JL, Lyu N. Research Progress on the Mechanisms of Electroacupuncture Analgesia in Neuropathic Pain. Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2021; 48(3): 398–403.

Erasmus S, Lyu Z, Zhou J, et al. Electroacupuncture Mechanisms in Managing Preoperative Anxiety and Postoperative Pain Chronification: A Review. Journal of Pain Research 2024; 17: 4089–4100.

Chen H, Feng G, Zhao Y. Progress of Electrical Stimulation to Promote Peripheral Nerve Regeneration. Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2024; 38(5): 411–415.

Zhang J, Wu W, Ren Y, et al. Electroacupuncture for the Treatment of Cancer Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. Frontiers in Pain Research 2023; 4: 1186506.

Chen H, Feng G, Zhao Y. Clinical Study on the Application of Electroacupuncture in Otorhinolaryngology Diseases. Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2024; 38(5): 411–420.

Chao X, Yuan T, Ruting S, et al. Therapeutic Effect of Myofascial Trigger Point Electroacupuncture Technology on the Treatment of Overactive Bladder Syndrome in Female. Journal of Central South University Medical Sciences 2020; 45(2): 155–159.

Ökmen K, Balk Ş, Güvenç GG. The Effect of Different Regional Analgesia Methods on Chronic Pain after Thoracic Surgery. Polish Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery 2023; 20(4): 233–239.

Akben S, Tuncel G, Argun G, et al. Efficiency of the Local Infiltration Analgesia Method in Total Knee Arthroplasty Surgeries. Acta Chirurgiae Orthopaedicae et Traumatologiae Cechoslovaca 2023; 90(6): 416–421.

Orenga HC, Galiana L, Sansó N, et al. Effects of Water Immersion Versus Epidural as Analgesic Methods during Labor among Low-Risk Women: A 10-Year Retrospective Cohort Study. Healthcare 2024; 12(19): 1919.

Huang H, Liang Y, Han D, et al. Case Report: Electroacupuncture for Acute Pain Flare-Up of Knee Osteoarthritis. Frontiers in Neurology 2022; 13: 1026441.

Hsu CY, Yin BY, Ethan CYL. Remodeling Effects of the Combination of GGT Scaffolds, Percutaneous Electrical Stimulation, and Acupuncture on Large Bone Defects in Rats. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology 2022; 10: 832808.

Huang SR, Pan LD, Ma YW, et al. Research on Community Promotion and Application of Single Acupoint Electroacupuncture Therapy for Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Herniation. Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2021; 41(4): 391–394.

Marchand JG, Masoud A, Grover S, et al. First and Second-Generation Endometrial Ablation Devices: A Network Meta-Analysis. BMJ Open 2024; 14(5): e065966.

Hay DI, Lee AR, Reading CC, et al. Can Ethanol Ablation Achieve Durable Control of Neck Nodal Recurrences in Adults with Stage I Papillary Thyroid Cancer? Journal of the Endocrine Society 2024; 8(5): bvae037.

Zhang MH, Li FJ, Zhao WJ, et al. The Involvement of the Ventral Tegmental Area in the Electroacupuncture Alleviation of Anxiety-Like Behaviors Induced by Chronic Restraint Stress in Mice. Neurochemical Research 2024; 49(11): 1–12.

Sun J, Liang Y, Luo TK, et al. Efficacy of Different Acupuncture Techniques for Pain and Dysfunction in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Pain and Therapy 2025; 14(2): 737–751.

Antonucci M, Passarini E, Bruno E, et al. Clinical Study on the Application of Acupuncture in the Postoperative Rehabilitation of Dogs Affected by Acute Thoracolumbar Disc Herniation. Animals 2025; 15(8): 1154.

Rodrigues JM, Ventura C, Abreu M, et al. Electro-Acupuncture Effects Measured by Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials. Healthcare 2023; 12(1): 2. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12010002.

Nambi G, Alrawaili MS. An Additional Effect of Electro-Acupuncture on Unspecified Chronic Low Back Pain among University Employees in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia: A Randomized Controlled Study. Acupuncture & Electro-Therapeutics Research 2023; 48(3): 185–197.

Biyang F, Yuanyuan S, Lei L, et al. Transcutaneous Electrical Acupuncture Point Stimulation Is Cardioprotective for Patients with Stable Ischemic Heart Disease. The American Journal of Cardiology 2023; 206: 202–209.

Wang L, Xu T, Sun M, et al. Electro-Acupuncture for Gastrointestinal Dysfunction after Colorectal Cancer Surgery: A Protocol for Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial. European Journal of Integrative Medicine 2023; 62: 102277. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eujim.2023.102277.

Hassan AT, Jia JL, YongT. Peripheral and Spinal Mechanisms Involved in Electro-Acupuncture Therapy for Visceral Hypersensitivity. Frontiers in Neuroscience 2021; 15: 696843.

Mingmin X, Lu W, Yu G, et al. Corrigendum to “Positive Effect of Electro-Acupuncture Treatment on Gut Motility in Constipated Mice Is Related to Rebalancing the Gut Microbiota”. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2021; 2021: 9835654.

Chen X, Wu M, Li J. Electroacupuncture Therapy for Acute Gastrointestinal Injury: Review and Perspectives. Acupuncture in Medicine: Journal of the British Medical Acupuncture Society 2021; 39(5): 567–568. https://doi.org/10.1177/0964528421989714.

Wu Y, Hu R, Zhong X, et al. Electric Acupuncture Treatment Promotes Angiogenesis in Rats with Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion through EphB4/EphrinB2 Mediated Src/PI3K Signal Pathway. Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases 2021; 30(3): 105165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2020.105165.

Ying H, Manshu Y, Akihiro K, et al. Downregulation of Let-7 by Electrical Acupuncture Increases Protein Synthesis in Mice. Frontiers in Physiology 2021; 12: 697139.

Işık İ, Çevik C. Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness of Acupuncture Treatment in Shoulder Pain. Journal of Medical and Health Studies 2024; 5(4): 175–190.

Downloads

Published

11/06/2025

How to Cite

Yuxuan Cui, Han Shi, Yuying Wu, Yanru Pan, Yunhan Shao, Jiaqi Xu, Lijun Hu, Jialu Weng, Lin Ye, Yanfei Xu, Feilin Ni, Haiyang Lu, Xiaoying Tong, & Shihua Cao. (2025). Bibliometric Visualization and Google Trends Analysis of Electroacupuncture Analgesia. Advanced Medical Research, 4(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.62836/amr.v4i1.530

Issue

Section

Medical Theory Research