Analysis of Research Status and Hotspot of External Therapies of Traditional Chinese Medicine for the Prevention and Control of Myopia in Children and Adolescents Based on Bibliometrics
Abstract:Objective:To analyze the literature on external therapies of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the prevention and control of myopia in children and adolescents,and to delineate the research status,hotspots,and frontiers. Methods:Literature on external TCM therapies for myopia prevention and control in children and adolescents was retrieved from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), and Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform (Wanfang) databases, covering the period from January 1,1995 to March 31,2025. CiteSpace 6.3.R1 software was used to visualize and analyze authors,institutions, and keywords. Results:A total of 463 research articles were included,and the annual publication volume showed a fluctuating upward trend. A stable core group of authors has not yet formed,and the collaboration network is relatively dispersed. Acupuncture, auricular point therapy, and tuina acting as the primary preventive and therapeutic techniques. Research hotspots focus on clinical efficacy,acupoint selection rules,pathogenesis,and mechanisms of action. Keywords such as "thumbtack needling," "auricular point seed-pressing," and "data mining" have emerged prominently,indicating a shift in research towards digitalization and evidence-based practices. Conclusion:External TCM therapies have unique advantages in myopia prevention and control; however, high-quality evidence-based research remains insufficient. Future efforts should concentrate on strengthening high-quality randomized controlled trials and investigating mechanistic studies to enhance research standardization and evidence-based practice.