Data from China: Analysis of Research Hotspots in the Field of Digital Therapeutics in the Chinese Context (1989–2021)

Objective‌: China is globally leading in digitalization. However, due to language barriers, there are few international studies on digital medicine based on the Chinese context. This paper focuses on Chinese data to explore the distribution and characteristics of research hotspots in the field of digital therapy in China. Methods‌: By quantifying the published literature on digital therapy from 1989 to 2021 in the authoritative Chinese database CNKI, keyword maps were drawn to sort out specific research directions and hotspot distributions in the field of digital therapy in China, and to predict future research trends and challenges. The literature was retrieved from the CNKI database, exported, and converted into CiteSpace 5.7.R2 software for solving six quantitative indicators, clustering, and map drawing. Under the guidance and constraints of the results, the development context, research directions, core keywords, and hotspots in the field of digital therapy were analyzed. Results‌: A total of 458 articles were included. The clustering was credible (Q = 0.8379>0.3; mean S = 0.9447>0.6), and 19 significant research directions were obtained (S>0.6). Four high-frequency core keywords (F>33) and eight high-centrality core keywords (C>28) were identified; there were no prominent nodes. Conclusion‌: In the field of digital therapy represented by Chinese literature, there are four mainstream research directions: exploration of digital medical theoretical concepts, multi-field integration of digital medical extensions, digital applications in specific disease scenarios, and infrastructure and policy support. However, from the perspective of literature centrality and mutation indicators, a solid theoretical core and landmark technological breakthroughs have not yet been formed, highlighting the huge potential and challenges of future research and application in this field in the Chinese context.