Virtual reality in neurorehabilitation for musculoskeletal disorders: a bibliometric analysis from 2010 to 2025.

Abstract

Introduction Virtual reality has become increasingly important in neurorehabilitation and has shown considerable potential for the management of musculoskeletal disorders. Although an increasing number of systematic reviews and meta-analyses have summarized the effectiveness of VR interventions for musculoskeletal disorders, a comprehensive overview of the development of this research field is still lacking. Therefore, this bibliometric analysis aimed to identify the knowledge structure and emerging research hotspots in the field of virtual reality for musculoskeletal disorders from 2010 to 2025. Methods Publications were retrieved from the two databases, Web of Science Core Collection and Scopus. After merging the databases and removing duplicates, two independent reviewers screened the titles and abstracts according to predefined criteria. Finally, a total of 433 eligible publications were included for bibliometric analysis. BibliometriX and VOSviewer were used to identify knowledge structure and emerging research hotspots in this research field. A LOESS curve was applied to visualize the trend of the annual number of publications over time. The BIBLIO reporting checklist was used to enhance transparency and reproducibility. Results The annual number of publications increased steadily from 2010 to 2025, with rapid growth after 2019, reaching a peak of 97 publications in 2025. A total of 1,878 authors from 60 countries contributed to at least one publication in this field. The USA produced the largest number of publications, followed by several European countries. Keyword analysis identified chronic pain, rehabilitation, and low back pain as major research topics. Thematic evolution indicated a shift from early technological exploration toward clinically oriented research focusing on rehabilitation outcomes, pain management, and the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying immersive VR interventions. Conclusion This bibliometric analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the development of VR for musculoskeletal disorders and highlights an ongoing transition from technology-driven exploration to clinically oriented and mechanism-informed research. These findings may help guide future interdisciplinary research and support the development of more evidence-based VR rehabilitation strategies.