BACKGROUND
In recent years, research into the application of virtual reality technology in pain treatment has rapidly increased.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to investigate the application status, research hotspots, and emerging trends of virtual reality (VR) in pain treatment over the past 20 years.
METHODS
Based on a dataset of 950 publications extracted from the Web of Science, we performed a bibliometric analysis using Citespace, VOSviewer, Scimago Graphica, and HistCite Pro.
RESULTS
A total of 950 papers were included in the analysis. Research on the application of VR has gained remarkable traction in recent years, evident from the consistent growth in the annual publication of relevant literature. The primary research areas encompass neurosciences and neurology, general and internal medicine, and psychology. The United States ranked first with 309 papers, followed by Australia with 79 papers. Notably, Hunter G. Hoffman, an accomplished American academic, secured the top position as the most prolific author, having authored 32 publications. Research on the role of VR in pain management originated from Kevin D. McCaul's study on distraction and coping with pain in 1984. This research evolved in two distinct stages: the initial phase concentrated on pain relief for burn patients, while the subsequent phase extended its application to various diseases along with efficacy assessments. The prevalent keywords employed by researchers encompass "Virtual reality," "Distraction," and "Children."
CONCLUSIONS
The bibliometric analysis offers a comprehensive overview of VR technology's utilization in the field of pain treatment. Our findings lead us to the conclusion that the applications of VR technology are undergoing continuous expansion, with its integration into surgical procedures representing one of the latest and most notable research advancements.