A Bibliometric Analysis of the Application of Brain-Computer Interface in Rehabilitation Medicine Over the Past 20 Years

Jinghui Huang,1,* Lele Huang,2,* Ying Li,1,* Fanfu Fang1 1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of the Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Sports Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Institute of Sports Medicine of Peking, Beijing, 100191, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Fanfu Fang, Email [email protected]: This study aims to conduct a bibliometric analysis of the application of brain- computer interface (BCI) in rehabilitation medicine, assessing the current state, developmental trends, and future potential of this field. By systematically analyzing relevant literature, we seek to identify key research themes and enhance understanding of BCI technology in rehabilitation.Methods: We utilized bibliometric analysis tools such as VOSviewer and CiteSpace to screen and analyze 426 relevant articles from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database. We quantitatively evaluated citation patterns, publication trends, and the collaboration networks of research institutions and authors to uncover research hotspots and frontier dynamics in the field.Results: The findings indicate a continuous increase in research publications since 2003, with a notable peak occurring between 2019 and 2021. The analysis revealed that motor imagery, motor recovery, and signal processing are the predominant research themes. Furthermore, the United States and China are leading in the publication volume related to BCI and rehabilitation medicine. Key research institutions include the University of Tübingen and the New York State Department of Health, with significant contributions from scholars like Niels Birbaumer.Conclusion: Although the current research on BCI in rehabilitation medicine shows significant potential and efficacy, further exploration of certain research directions is needed, along with the promotion of interdisciplinary collaboration to comprehensively address complex real-world issues such as motor function impairment. Future research should focus on optimizing training models, enhancing technical feasibility, and exploring home rehabilitation applications to facilitate the broader adoption of BCI technology in rehabilitation medicine.Keywords: brain-computer interface, BCI, rehabilitation, motor recovery, motor imagery, signal processing