Exploring the use of traditional Chinese medicine exercises for cancer patients from the perspective of bibliometrics

Abstract

Background: Cancer is a global health issue, and as the side effects of conventional treatments become more noticeable, many patients turn to complementary therapies, especially traditional Chinese medicine exercises. These exercises help regulate the mind and body, enhance immune function, and alleviate side effects. Despite the potential of these treatments, bibliometric studies on this topic are limited. Methods: For this study, we analyzed literature from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) from 2011 to 2024 and used VOSviewer (version 1.6.20) and CiteSpace (version 6.4.R1) to explore research trends, academic impact, collaboration networks, and keyword hotspots. Results: A total of 261 articles from 2011 to 2024 were included, with the number of annual publications increasing from 2 to 37. China led with 144 articles and 2678 citations, followed by the U.S. with 83 articles and 3732 citations. The University of Hong Kong and Harvard Medical School were the top institutions. The key authors included Cheung Denise Shuk Ting and Takemura Naomi, each of whom published 8 papers. Integrative Cancer Therapies had the greatest impact. Keyword analysis revealed research hotspots such as “cancer rehabilitation”, “immune regulation”, “mind–body exercise”, and “psychological stress relief”. Conclusion: The application of Chinese medicine exercises in adjunctive cancer therapy is gradually becoming a popular research topic. Bibliometric analysis has revealed the development trends and frontier issues in this field, providing scientific evidence for future research directions. There is still great potential for further research, particularly in areas such as cancer immune regulation and psychological rehabilitation.