To systematically investigate the current status, research hotspots, and future trends of manual therapy for sleep disorders using a bibliometric approach, focusing on psycho-physiological outcomes.
Approach:
Data Retrieval: Publications related to manual therapy for sleep disorders were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC).
Bibliometric Analysis: Bibliometric visualizations and analyses were conducted using VOSviewer and CiteSpace.
Clinical Trial Assessment: Clinical trial records from PubMed were extracted to assess translational and clinical advancements.
Key Findings:
The analysis included 594 publications from 321 institutions across 63 countries.
There is a consistent annual increase in publication volume and citation impact, reflecting escalating academic interest.
Research frontiers include neurobiological mechanisms and circadian rhythm regulation.
Interpretation:
Research on manual therapy for sleep disorders is evolving toward multidimensional and interdisciplinary integration.
Limitations:
Future clinical translation requires multi-center validation to ensure generalizability.
Standardized sham-controlled protocols are necessary to validate findings.
Conclusion:
Manual therapy shows therapeutic effects via the regulation of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis (HPA axis).
Jorge Bilbao, D.O., has joined Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute as a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician whose clinical interests include musculoskeletal medicine, inpatient rehabilitation and electrodiagnostic medicine.
