Scientific Mapping of Acupuncture for Heart Failure: Bibliometric Analysis and Scoping Review

Objectives: Interest in clinical research on the role of acupuncture in heart failure (HF) is growing. The purpose of this review was to visually map, compile, and summarize the existing literature to guide future research on acupuncture for HF. Methods: Acupuncture-related publications for HF were sourced from four databases: Cochrane Library, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scopus. We used VOSviewer, Bibliometrix, and Biblioshiny to create a map-based data network of all studies related to keywords, illustrating the interconnections among journals, sources, authors, and funders. We conducted a scoping review (ScR), adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) standards. We included articles exploring acupuncture intervention on HF, published from January 1, 1992, to July 15, 2024. Articles were declared eligible, reviewed critically, and synthesized narratively. Results: We have identified the most dynamically active institutions, authors, funders, and research outcomes. Eight articles were included in the synthesis of ScR. Research in this area is increasing sharply, with the maximum number of publications occurring during the interval between 2021 and 2023. The trend of research development in the field of acupuncture for HF appears to be growing with various variations of acupuncture modalities that can be opportunities for further research, especially regarding the effectiveness of each modality. Conclusion: The benefits and potential of acupuncture materials for HF promise an excellent opportunity to advance research and treatment development. Acupuncture has promising potential for the future treatment of HF.