Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (35): 9316-9326.doi: 10.12307/2026.238

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A visualized analysis of vagus nerve stimulation in the field of stroke rehabilitation

Wang Xiaojing1, Wei Jingyi1, Liu Xihua2   

  1. 1School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, Shandong Province, China; 2Department of Rehabilitation, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250011, Shandong Province, China
  • Received:2025-09-28 Revised:2025-11-14 Online:2026-12-18 Published:2026-04-30
  • Contact: Liu Xihua, PhD, Chief physician, Doctoral supervisor, Department of Rehabilitation, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250011, Shandong Province, China
  • About author:Wang Xiaojing, MS candidate, School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, Shandong Province, China
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China for Young Scientists Project, No. 81802239 (to LXH); General Project of Shandong Province Traditional Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Project, No. M-2023142 (to LXH)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The vagus nerve stimulation technique enhances cortical excitability and neuroplasticity by stimulating the vagus nerve. Its application in stroke rehabilitation has received widespread attention. Currently, there is no study analyzing the research status and development trend of vagus nerve stimulation in the field of stroke rehabilitation.
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the current development status, research hotspots, and development trends of vagus nerve stimulation in the field of stroke rehabilitation, in order to provide a reference for future research and optimization of clinical rehabilitation plans for stroke.
METHODS: We retrieved relevant literature on the application of vagus nerve stimulation in stroke rehabilitation from China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang, PubMed, and Web of Science Core Collection databases from January 1, 2012 to February 1, 2025. Using CiteSpace 6.3.R1 software, we performed visualized analyses of publication volumes, countries/regions and institutions, authors, keyword co-occurrence, keyword clustering, and keyword bursts.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: A total of 297 articles were included, of which 86 were in Chinese and 211 were in English. The annual publication volume of vagus nerve stimulation in the field of stroke rehabilitation at home and abroad generally shows an upward trend. The country with the highest number of publications is China. The authors with the highest number of Chinese and English publications are Zhao Jingjun and Seth A. Hays, respectively. The institutions with the highest number of Chinese and English publications are Chongqing Medical University and the University of Texas System, respectively. Domestic and foreign universities are the main battlegrounds for scientific research achievements. Domestic research teams and institutions are more scattered than their international counterparts, and there is less cooperation among teams. Keyword co-occurrence and clustering results show that vagus nerve stimulation research mainly focuses on stroke, upper limb function, neuroplasticity, neuroprotective effects, etc. The bursting keywords are mainly motor function and cortical plasticity. The overall research direction mainly revolves around the effects of vagus nerve stimulation on motor, swallowing, cognitive and other functions post-stroke, as well as the exploration of mechanisms to improve neurological function. In the future, research in this field may focus on the application of non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation in stroke rehabilitation and combining vagus nerve stimulation technology with other rehabilitation techniques to explore their related mechanisms.


Key words: stroke, vagus nerve stimulation, rehabilitation, visualized analysis, CiteSpace

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