P-068 - (Poster #68) Bibliometric Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials for Lumbar Herniated Intervertebral Discs: 1990–2024

Background: Lumbar herniated intervertebral discs (LHIVD) represent a prevalent health issue exacerbated by modern sedentary lifestyles and lack of physical activity. This condition often leads to significant discomfort and disability, impacting quality of life through symptoms such as sciatic neuralgia, numbness, and lower extremity pain. As the incidence of LHIVD rises, there is a growing need for effective and safe treatment options. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are considered the gold standard in clinical research, offering robust evidence on the efficacy, safety, and comparative effectiveness of medical interventions by reducing bias and confounding variables. Bibliometric analysis, a method using mathematical and statistical tools to quantify research trends, provides valuable insights into the landscape of scientific research. Despite the wealth of studies on LHIVD, a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of RCTs in this field has not been previously undertaken. This study aims to fill this gap by visualizing research trends over the past three decades, thereby guiding future clinical research in LHIVD.
 

Purpose/Objectives: The primary aim of this study is to conduct a bibliometric analysis of RCTs concerning lumbar herniated intervertebral discs published from 1990 to 2024. This analysis intends to map out research trends, identify key contributors and institutions, and uncover thematic clusters within the field. By doing so, the study seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of research, highlight the evolution of scientific focus over time, and identify potential areas for future investigation. Ultimately, this work aims to support researchers and clinicians in understanding the complexities of LHIVD treatment and to enhance the development of evidence-based clinical guidelines.
 


Methods: Data for this bibliometric analysis were sourced from the Web of Science Core Collection, covering publications between 1990 and July 23, 2024. The search strategy included terms related to lumbar disc conditions and RCTs. Two independent reviewers screened titles and abstracts to select relevant articles, resolving any disagreements with a third reviewer. Only English-language publications were included. The extracted data encompassed publication year, research category, journal, keywords, authors, countries, and organizations. VOSviewer software was employed to perform network analyses and visualize relationships among these elements, categorizing them into thematic clusters based on their co-occurrence and citation patterns. The analysis provided insights into the frequency and evolution of specific research themes, as well as the distribution of influential authors and institutions.
 


Results: he bibliometric analysis included 292 RCT publications on LHIVD. A significant upward trend in the number of publications was observed, with the highest output in 2017. The "Clinical Neurology" category dominated the research landscape, followed by "Orthopedics" and "Surgery." The journal 'Spine' published the most articles, reflecting its central role in disseminating research on spinal disorders. The keyword analysis revealed five clusters, highlighting themes such as low back pain, surgical interventions, and nonoperative treatments. Over time, a shift from a focus on surgical techniques towards broader RCT methodologies was noted. This trend underscores a growing interest in evaluating conservative treatment outcomes alongside surgical options. The United States led in publication volume, followed by China and several European countries, indicating a global research effort. Notably, Leiden University emerged as a major contributor, with significant outputs from other institutions like the Medical Center Haaglanden and Erasmus University Medical Center. The network analysis of authors identified Wilco Peul as a leading figure, emphasizing the collaborative nature of research in this domain. This comprehensive mapping provides valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of LHIVD research, highlighting the interplay between clinical practice and academic inquiry.
 

Conclusions/Implications for future research and/or clinical care: This bibliometric study offers a detailed visualization of research trends in RCTs on LHIVD, revealing key thematic areas and influential contributors over the last three decades. The findings emphasize a notable shift towards nonoperative treatment strategies and the increasing importance of RCTs in guiding clinical decision-making. By identifying major research clusters and highlighting prolific authors and institutions, this analysis provides a roadmap for future studies, encouraging collaborative efforts and interdisciplinary approaches. The insights gained from this study could inform the development of targeted clinical guidelines and support the optimization of therapeutic strategies for LHIVD. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of bibliometric analyses in enhancing our understanding of scientific progress and directing research priorities. As the field continues to evolve, ongoing monitoring of research trends will be crucial in adapting to emerging challenges and opportunities in the management of lumbar disc disorders.