Bibliometric Analysis of the Application of Digital Technology in Physical Rehabilitation

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed significant limitations in global healthcare systems, particularly in rehabilitation, where growing demand from age-related conditions has accelerated the integration of technology. This study aimed to analyze the development ofscientific output on rehabilitation technology, focusing on publication trends, geographic distribution, and subject area categorization. A mini-review was conducted using the Scopus database, covering relevant articles published from 1995 to 2023. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) was calculated to assess publication trends over time, and publications were categorized by document type, country, region, and subject area to identify key contributors and thematic research areas. The search yielded 2,771 entries, with an overall CAGR of 19.57% from 2000 to 2023, though the growth slowed to 9.30% in the most recent period (2020–2023). Europe contributed the largest share of publications (41%), followed by North America (24%) and Asia (19%). In conclusion, while the field experienced strong overall growth, the recent post-pandemic decline indicates reduced momentum. The disparity in research output between developed and developing countries highlights the importance of increased global support. Addressing these challenges will be important for sustaining future growth and fostering innovation.

Keywords

• physiotherapy
• digital technologies
• wearables
• bibliometrics
• research profiling
• virtual reality