The evolution and future directions of pressure injury wound dressing research: a bibliometric analysis (2005–2025)

BACKGROUND: This research investigates advancements in "dressings for pressure injuries (PIs)" by analyzing literature from the Web of Science Core Collection spanning 2005 to 2025. The study aims to systematically map research trends in this field through bibliometric approaches. METHODS: A bibliometric analysis was conducted using VOSviewer and CiteSpace to examine author collaborations, geographical distributions, keyword co-occurrence networks, and temporal evolution of research hotspots. RESULTS: The evolutionary trajectory showed distinct phases: early studies (2005-2015) prioritized material characterization, while recent advances (2016-2025) focused on translating bioactive dressings into practice and integrating multidisciplinary approaches. CONCLUSION: Future efforts should prioritize bridging the innovation-clinical translation gap of smart wound dressings, deepening the micro-mechanistic exploration of dressing-wound microenvironment interactions, and strengthening cross-cluster knowledge integration across basic research, clinical practice, and interdisciplinary fields. These directions will drive the advancement of precision, intelligence, and standardization in pressure injury dressing care.