Research Article

Post-stroke physical rehabilitation and neuroplasticity: a bibliometric analysis (2000-2024)

Volume: 9 Number: 1 January 5, 2026
TR EN

Post-stroke physical rehabilitation and neuroplasticity: a bibliometric analysis (2000-2024)

Abstract

Aims: This study aims to systematically analyze the global scientific literature on neuroplasticity in post-stroke rehabilitation to uncover major research themes, thematic evolution, and collaboration networks over the last two decades. Methods: A bibliometric analysis was conducted using data retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database, covering the period from January 2000 to December 2024. A total of 1.484 publications met the inclusion criteria. VOS viewer software was utilized to perform co-occurrence, co-authorship, co-citation, and bibliographic coupling analyses to visualize the intellectual structure and trends of the field. Results: A total of 1,484 publications were analyzed, revealing a sharp acceleration in scientific output since 2020, with a CAGR of 13.5% and a peak of 368 articles in 2023. Keyword mapping demonstrated a distinct thematic shift from foundational biological processes (2016-2018) toward advanced technological interventions like BCI, robotics, and virtual reality (2020-2022). The United States, China, and Italy emerged as the primary hubs of global productivity. Finally, co-citation and bibliographic coupling analyses delineate an integrated intellectual landscape sustained by four primary research axes: motor cortex plasticity, clinical protocols, non-invasive neuromodulation, and neuroimaging-based language recovery. Conclusion: Post-stroke neuroplasticity research has transformed into a highly dynamic and interdisciplinary field. The findings indicate a significant shift from basic biological research towards personalized and technology-assisted rehabilitation strategies. Future trends suggest an increasing integration of neuroengineering and multimodal therapies to optimize functional recovery.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

None

Ethical Statement

As this study is a bibliometric analysis based on a systematic review of previously published literature, ethical approval from an institutional review board and patient consent were not applicable.

Thanks

None

References

  1. Feigin VL, Stark BA, Johnson CO, et al. Global, regional, and national burden of stroke and its risk factors, 1990–2019: a systematic analysis for the global burden of disease study 2019. Lancet Neurol. 2021;20:795-820. doi:10.1016/S1474-4422 (21)00252-0
  2. Kleim JA, Jones TA. Principles of experience-dependent neural plasticity: implications for rehabilitation after brain damage. J Speech Lang Hear Res. 2008;51(1):S225-S239. doi:10. 1044/1092-4388(2008/018)
  3. Nudo RJ. Recovery after brain injury: mechanisms and principles. Front Hum Neurosci. 2013;7:887. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2013.00887
  4. Buma F, Kwakkel G, Ramsey N. Understanding upper limb recovery after stroke. Restor Neurol Neurosci. 2013;31(6):707-722. doi:10.3233/RN N-130332
  5. Ang KK, Guan C, Phua KS, et al. Brain-computer interface-based robotic end effector system for wrist and hand rehabilitation: results of a three-armed randomized controlled trial for chronic stroke. Front Neuroeng. 2014;7:30. doi:10.3389/fneng.2014.00030
  6. Mehrholz J, Thomas S, Werner C, Kugler J, Pohl M, Elsner B. Electromechanical-assisted training for walking after stroke. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;5(5):CD006185. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD0061 85.pub4
  7. Li C, Tu S, Xu S, et al. Research hotspots and frontiers of transcranial direct current stimulation in stroke: a bibliometric analysis. Brain Sci. 2022;13(1):15. doi:10.3390/brainsci13010015
  8. van Eck NJ, Waltman L. Software survey: VOSviewer, a computer program for bibliometric mapping. Scientometrics. 2010;84(2):523-538. doi:10.1007/s11192-009-0146-3

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Neurology and Neuromuscular Diseases, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

January 5, 2026

Submission Date

November 22, 2025

Acceptance Date

December 31, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 9 Number: 1

APA
Gerek, A. M. (2026). Post-stroke physical rehabilitation and neuroplasticity: a bibliometric analysis (2000-2024). Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine, 9(1), 213-220. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1828713
AMA
1.Gerek AM. Post-stroke physical rehabilitation and neuroplasticity: a bibliometric analysis (2000-2024). J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2026;9(1):213-220. doi:10.32322/jhsm.1828713
Chicago
Gerek, Ayşe Melike. 2026. “Post-Stroke Physical Rehabilitation and Neuroplasticity: A Bibliometric Analysis (2000-2024)”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 9 (1): 213-20. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1828713.
EndNote
Gerek AM (January 1, 2026) Post-stroke physical rehabilitation and neuroplasticity: a bibliometric analysis (2000-2024). Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 9 1 213–220.
IEEE
[1]A. M. Gerek, “Post-stroke physical rehabilitation and neuroplasticity: a bibliometric analysis (2000-2024)”, J Health Sci Med / JHSM, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 213–220, Jan. 2026, doi: 10.32322/jhsm.1828713.
ISNAD
Gerek, Ayşe Melike. “Post-Stroke Physical Rehabilitation and Neuroplasticity: A Bibliometric Analysis (2000-2024)”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 9/1 (January 1, 2026): 213-220. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1828713.
JAMA
1.Gerek AM. Post-stroke physical rehabilitation and neuroplasticity: a bibliometric analysis (2000-2024). J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2026;9:213–220.
MLA
Gerek, Ayşe Melike. “Post-Stroke Physical Rehabilitation and Neuroplasticity: A Bibliometric Analysis (2000-2024)”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine, vol. 9, no. 1, Jan. 2026, pp. 213-20, doi:10.32322/jhsm.1828713.
Vancouver
1.Ayşe Melike Gerek. Post-stroke physical rehabilitation and neuroplasticity: a bibliometric analysis (2000-2024). J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2026 Jan. 1;9(1):213-20. doi:10.32322/jhsm.1828713

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