Knowledge mapping and emerging trends in cognitive impairment associated with chronic pain: A 2000–2024 bibliometric study

Abstract

Chronic pain is commonly recognized as a distressing symptom or a standalone disease, with over half of those affected experiencing cognitive impairment, which significantly impacts their quality of life. Despite a recent surge in literature on cognitive impairment associated with chronic pain, a comprehensive bibliometric analysis in this field has yet to be conducted. In this study, we performed a bibliometric analysis on this topic. We retrieved English-language publications on chronic pain and cognitive impairment from 2000 to 2024 using the Web of Science Core Collection database. These publications were visually analyzed using tools such as VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and the R package “bibliometrix.” We identified 1656 publications from 72 countries/regions across 722 journals on the topic of chronic pain and cognitive impairment. Publication numbers showed a steady increase, peaking in 2022. The United States led in contributions, with Harvard Medical School emerging as the most prominent institution involved. The journal Pain was the most prolific and frequently co-cited in this area. Among the authors, Stefan Duschek was the most productive, while Frederick Wolfe was the most frequently co-cited. Key research areas include investigating the bidirectional long-term effects between chronic pain and cognitive impairment and exploring the mechanisms underlying cognitive changes associated with chronic pain. In conclusion, this study highlights a global surge in research on cognitive impairment related to chronic pain. Emerging hotspots and future research trends point towards brain imaging mechanisms and neuronal circuit-mediated processes.