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Review Article
- A Bibliometric Analysis of Studies on Meridians
- Chan-Young Kwon
- Perspect Integr Med. 2025;4(2):67-75. Published online June 23, 2025
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.56986/pim.2025.06.001
- 6,897 View
- 51 Download
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Graphical Abstract
Abstract
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Supplementary Material 
- A meridian is a channel through which qi moves and is a key concept in traditional East Asian medicine. Meridian studies have evolved from classical functional to modern scientific investigations. This study was performed to construct, analyze, and visualize research trends in modern scientific investigations through a bibliometric analysis. The MEDLINE database was searched via PubMed. All relevant studies published up to December, 2024 were included (N = 1,446). Research on the concept of meridians has been actively reported since the early 1990s, peaking in 2015 (n = 103). Various biological basis for meridians, including the primo vascular system, have been investigated throughout this period. Co-occurrence analysis identified 3 major research clusters: clinical studies, animal experiments, and acupuncture points research. Recent studies have focused more on acupuncture points and their clinical applications, particularly in neuropsychiatric disorders, rather than fundamental meridian research. In addition, data mining has emerged as a new methodology in the field. Research collaboration was primarily occurring amongst investigators in South Korea and China (limited international cooperation). While interest in preclinical studies has declined, promising clinical applications continue to emerge. This review highlighted the need for broader international collaboration and integration of traditional concepts with modern research methodologies.
Protocol
- A Protocol for a Bibliometric Analysis of Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine Research Preprints
- Jeremy Y. Ng, Brenda Lin, Sabrina Abdella, Magdalene Abebe, Isabella Tao, Holger Cramer
- Perspect Integr Med. 2024;3(3):172-176. Published online October 23, 2024
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.56986/pim.2024.10.007
- 3,801 View
- 32 Download
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Abstract
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- Background
Traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM) has witnessed significant growth in interest globally. Despite its popularity, TCIM research encounters numerous challenges including funding, methodological issues, and risk of bias. Preprints (scientific manuscripts openly accessible before formal peer review) present a potential solution, and understanding the characteristics and impact of TCIM preprints could offer valuable insights.
Methods
A bibliometric analysis will be conducted on all TCIM-related preprints, since inception, and posted on preprint servers with TCIM subject filters. Preprints will be sourced from servers listed in the Accelerating Science and Publication in Biology directory which allow filtering by TCIM-related categories. The preprint server and URLs, preprint server’s disciplinary scope, ownership type, screening processes, external content indexing, permanence of content, preservation of content, and comments will be extracted. The number of TCIM-related preprints yielded, and which TCIM-related term each preprint server uses will be noted. Data will be extracted from each eligible preprint: preprint server, title, DOI, preprint posted date, status of preprint, journal of final publication, final publication date, type of preprint, abstract of preprint, authors, author affiliation(s), country of corresponding author, funders, number of views, number of downloads, number of comments, number of citations, number of versions, and keywords. Descriptive statistics will be used to summarize the bibliometric characteristics, and trend analysis will identify publication patterns over time.
Conclusion
This protocol was developed for a study to identify trends in TCIM research dissemination, and contribute to a better understanding of how preprints are being used to advance the field
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