Research hotspots and emerging trends of pain neuroscience education in chronic pain management

Objective: Chronic pain is a major global public health concern. Pain neuroscience education (PNE), a cognitive intervention grounded in the biopsychosocial model, has been increasingly applied to chronic pain management. However, its knowledge structure and research evolution have not been systematically delineated. This bibliometric study aimed to map the research landscape, identify hot topics and emerging trends, and provide evidence for clinical translation and research planning. Methods: Publications on PNE in chronic pain were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (2015–2026). A total of 409 articles were analyzed using Microsoft Excel, CiteSpace, VOSviewer, Bibliometrix, and SCImago Graphica to examine publication outputs, collaboration networks, keyword co-occurrence, clustering, burst detection, and citation patterns. Results: Annual publications increased rapidly from 2018 to 2024, peaking in 2024. The United States, Spain, and Belgium were the most productive countries, with strong collaboration between North America and Europe, while Asian and low-and middle-income countries remained peripheral. Jo Nijs team was a central research force. Keyword analysis revealed 3 hotspots: predominant focus on chronic musculoskeletal pain; a shift from single PNE to multimodal regimens combining exercise and cognitive behavioral therapy; methodological validation of assessment tools serving as a critical hub linking research branches. Burst analysis indicated a transition from empirical accumulation to evidence synthesis with personalized interventions for older adults and adolescents as future frontiers. Conclusion: PNE research is advancing rapidly, shifting from efficacy validation toward implementation science and precision interventions. Current research shows a geographic imbalance; future efforts should enhance cross-regional knowledge translation. This study provides a clear knowledge map for researchers and evidence-based directions for optimizing pain management systems.