Bibliometric and visualized analysis of nonpharmaceutical TCM therapies for rheumatoid arthritis over the last 20 years using VOSviewer and CiteSpace software.

Researchers analyzed two decades of published studies on non-drug traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatments for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic autoimmune condition causing painful joint inflammation. The team examined 567 scientific articles from 2003-2023 to identify research trends and patterns in complementary approaches to RA management.

The analysis revealed a steady increase in publications about non-pharmaceutical TCM therapies for RA over the 20-year period, suggesting growing scientific interest in these approaches. China emerged as the leading country conducting research in this field, with extensive international collaboration among researchers and institutions worldwide. The study found that current research focuses primarily on evaluating the effectiveness of specific non-drug TCM treatments and determining which therapies work best for different patients.

While conventional RA treatments like steroids, anti-inflammatory medications, and biological agents remain standard care, they often cause unwanted side effects. This analysis demonstrates that the scientific community is increasingly investigating complementary therapies such as acupuncture, moxibustion, tai chi, and other traditional approaches as potential additions to conventional treatment plans.

The findings suggest that non-pharmaceutical TCM therapies are gaining recognition as viable complementary options for managing RA symptoms and improving quality of life. The researchers identified improving treatment efficacy and proper therapy selection as key areas where future studies should focus. This growing body of research may help patients and healthcare providers make more informed decisions about integrating traditional approaches alongside conventional medicine.

If you're considering acupuncture or other TCM therapies for rheumatoid arthritis, seek a licensed acupuncturist with specialized training in treating autoimmune conditions.

This bibliometric analysis examined 567 publications on nonpharmaceutical TCM therapies for rheumatoid arthritis from the Web of Science Core Collection database spanning 20 years. Using VOSviewer and CiteSpace software, researchers mapped collaborative networks among authors, institutions, and countries, while identifying research trends through keyword and citation burst analysis.

Findings demonstrated steadily increasing annual publications in this field, with China leading research efforts and extensive international collaboration. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine published the most articles, while Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews received the highest citations. Ernst E was the most prolific author (11 articles), and Green S garnered the most citations (287).

Citation burst analysis identified two primary research hotspots: evaluating efficacy of specific nonpharmaceutical TCM interventions and optimizing therapy selection for RA patients. The analysis reveals growing scientific interest in complementary approaches to address side effects associated with conventional RA pharmacotherapy, including glucocorticoids, NSAIDs, DMARDs, and biologics.

Clinical takeaway: The expanding research base supports considering nonpharmaceutical TCM modalities as evidence-informed complementary interventions for RA management, with current emphasis on treatment individualization and outcome measurement.