Global research landscape and emerging frontiers in primary insomnia treatment (2005–2025): A bibliometric analysis

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the current state of research on primary insomnia, focusing on key trends and global hotspots. METHODS: The Web of Science Core Collection database was used as the primary source for identifying peer-reviewed studies on therapeutic approaches to primary insomnia between 2005 and 2025. CiteSpace analytical tools were employed to examine bibliometric indicators, including temporal publication trends, international collaboration networks, institutional productivity rankings, high-impact journals, influential researchers, conceptual co-citation clusters, and keyword evolution patterns. RESULTS: A systematic search identified 2826 relevant publications published over the 2-decade period from 2005 to 2025. Our analysis revealed the journals, countries, institutions, and authors with the highest output in primary insomnia treatment. The United States and the University of California System were the most productive country and institution, respectively. The journal Sleep dominated scholarly productivity and citation metrics. The journal Sleep emerged as a leading scholarly outlet in somnology research, consistently ranking among the most frequently cited journals. The analyzed publications involved 15,657 distinct researchers; Charles M. Morin and Daniel J. Buysse were the most frequently co-cited authors, followed by Célyne H. Bastien, Maurice M. Ohayon, Dieter Riemann, and Jack D. Edinger. Research on primary insomnia treatment has evolved from behavioral therapies to cognitive behavioral therapy and precision medicine. Current hotspots focus on digital therapeutics, neuromodulatory drugs, and comorbid mechanisms, while future advancements are expected to leverage multi-omics and artificial intelligence for personalized interventions. CONCLUSION: By employing advanced scientometric methods, this study systematically maps conceptual developments and intellectual progress in primary insomnia through rigorous literature mining and knowledge visualization. It identifies emerging trends and key challenges in somnology, offering valuable insights for researchers developing therapeutic strategies. The findings provide a clear overview of research evolution over the past 2 decades, highlighting current focuses and future directions. However, this analysis reflects publication trends within the Web of Science Core Collection only and does not assess clinical efficacy or treatment priorities. Notably, 2025 data include publications only up to March 7, representing an incomplete year. Overall, this work provides a concise knowledge base to inform future research in primary insomnia.