A bibliometric analysis study on coccydynia treatment

Abstract

Aim

The objective of this study was to shed light on the topic of coccidynia, a condition of significant importance within the field of neurosurgery, by examining the scientific publications dedicated to its understanding and treatment. By conducting a comprehensive bibliometric analysis, we aimed to explore the extent of research conducted on coccidynia, identify key contributing countries, prolific authors, and prevalent research themes. Our study sought to provide an in-depth understanding of the temporal evolution of coccidynia literature and contribute to the accumulation of knowledge in this specialized area.

Material and method

To achieve our objective, we conducted an extensive literature search utilizing the esteemed Web of Science database. Through the advanced search engine within the WOS system, we meticulously curated a comprehensive dataset by focusing on the keyword “coccydynia treatment.” This specific keyword allowed us to identify relevant scientific articles and publications related to the treatment of coccidynia. The dataset was then analyzed to extract crucial information, including the number of articles published over time, the geographic distribution of research, the co-authorship patterns among researchers, and the prevalent keywords associated with coccidynia literature.

Results

Our investigation revealed intriguing insights into the landscape of coccidynia research. We discovered that the earliest scientific article on this subject was published in 1991, signifying the relatively recent emergence of scholarly interest in this domain. Notably, the volume of publications experienced a substantial surge after 2010, suggesting a growing recognition of coccidynia's clinical significance. In total, we identified and examined 143 articles published between 1970 and 2023, encompassing several decades of scientific inquiry into the condition. By meticulously analyzing the geographical distribution of research, we found that the United States of America emerged as the leading country in terms of producing publications on “coccydynia treatment.” Within this literature, we also identified key authors who made significant contributions to the field, with notable names including Maigne JY, Finsen V, and Knobloch RG. Moreover, our analysis of citation patterns revealed that articles originating from the United States received a commendable number of citations, with an average of 3.48 citations per article, while publications from Turkey garnered an average of 2.33 citations per article. Furthermore, we identified the most frequently utilized keywords in coccidynia literature, highlighting the emphasis placed on terms such as “idiopathic coccygodynia,” “sitting position,” “coccydynia,” “coccyx,” and “coccygectomy.” By conducting this bibliometric analysis of original scientific studies published since 1970, our study contributes to the existing knowledge base regarding coccidynia and its treatment.

Conclusion

Through our meticulous bibliometric analysis, we have contributed to the existing body of knowledge surrounding coccidynia and its treatment. The comprehensive examination of scientific publications since 1970 has provided valuable insights into the temporal evolution of research on this condition. Our findings highlight the growing interest and recognition of coccidynia as a clinically significant neurosurgical topic. The identification of leading countries, prolific authors, and prevalent research themes serves as a foundation for future investigations and allows researchers to better understand the landscape of coccidynia research. We emphasize the importance of periodic updates and revisions to these studies, ensuring that the scientific community has access to the most current and comprehensive information for rational analysis and decision-making in the field of coccidynia research and treatment.