Imagine unraveling the secrets of a treasure map that leads to surgical treatments for tremor in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Researchers conducted a comprehensive bibliometric and visualization analysis, examining publications from 2002 to 2022. By analyzing bibliographic networks, they identified key contributors, trends, and emerging hotspots in this field. The United States took center stage as the leading hub for research, while Michael Okun emerged as the most productive author. With over 2,800 publications, this study shed light on 772 crucial keywords. Notable bursts of interest were observed in pallidotomy, bilateral stimulation, and focused ultrasound thalamotomy. Furthermore, deep brain stimulation (DBS) garnered significant attention and recognition as a surgical treatment option for tremor in PD. Exploring operative indications, targets, and protocols within DBS remains an essential avenue for further investigation. Lastly, magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) emerged as a promising treatment modality. This enlightening research opens doors to potential breakthroughs in understanding and managing tremors in Parkinson’s disease.

ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the research status and hotspots of surgical treatment for tremor in Parkinson’s disease (PD) from 2002 to 2022, utilizing bibliometric and visual analysis. Additionally, it aims to offer insights into future research trends in this field.MethodsThis study collected publications on the surgical treatment of tremor in PD from 2002 to 2022 using the Web of Science (WOS) database. CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Scimago Graphica were employed to quantify the number of publications and analyze the bibliographic information networks, including the contributions of countries/cities, authors, keywords, and co-cited references.ResultsA total of 2,815 publications were included in the study, revealing that 541 scientific institutions experienced an increase in publications from 2002 to 2022. Michael Okun emerged as the most productive author, and the United States emerged as the leading hub for research. The study identified 772 keywords. Noteworthy citation bursts and long-term activity were observed in pallidotomy, bilateral stimulation, and focused ultrasound thalamotomy. The top 10 highly co-cited references comprised eight deep brain stimulation (DBS) studies (including two follow-up studies and six randomized controlled trials), one randomized controlled trial on focused ultrasound, and one consensus on tremor.ConclusionThis study uses an in-depth and systematic bibliometric and visualization analysis to visualize the evolution of research and identify emerging hotspots. The identified hotspots are as follows: Firstly, DBS has received significant attention and widespread recognition as a surgical treatment for tremor in PD. Secondly, there are various key aspects to consider in DBS, such as operative indications, operative targets, and surgical protocols. Lastly, magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) has emerged as a promising treatment option in the surgical management of tremor in Parkinson’s disease. This research also provides insights into the phenomenon of these hotspots, offering valuable prompts and reminders for further research.

Read Full Article (External Site)