Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice ›› 2024, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (10): 1151-1159.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2024.10.005

Previous Articles     Next Articles

International researches on orientation and mobility for visual impairments in the last two decades: a bibliometrics analysis

CHEN Xiaomeng1, TENG Teng1, DONG Jing2, WANG Lin3()   

  1. 1. School of Educational Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510631, China
    2. China Cultural Information Service Center for the Visually Impaired (China Braille Library), Beijing 100050, China
    3. International College, Wuhan Vocational College of Software and Engineering, Wuhan, Hubei 430205, China
  • Received:2024-08-29 Published:2024-10-25 Online:2024-11-08
  • Contact: WANG Lin, E-mail: 309724211@qq.com
  • Supported by:
    National Social Science Fund of China "14th Five-Year Plan" General Program of Pedagogy(BBA210034)

Abstract:

Objective To analyze the hotspots and development trends in orientation and mobility research within the international field of visual impairment.

Methods Literature related to orientation and mobility in the field of visual impairment was retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database from January, 2004 to March, 2024, and was analyzed with CiteSpace 6.3 R1.

Results A total of 197 literatures were included. The quantity of literature in the field of orientation and mobility for visual impairment showed a growth trend. The top scholars in this field by publication volume were Robert Wall Emerson, Kim Dae Shik, Nora Griffin-Shirley, and Giulio E Lancioni. The United States demonstrated high research output and influence in the study of orientation and mobility for individuals with visual impairments. Core keywords included navigation, assistive technology, cognitive maps, older adults, design, experience, children, perception and acuity. Hot topics primarily focused on five aspects: transportation and rehabilitation for low-vision individuals, development of orientation and mobility assistive technologies, orientation and mobility research for individuals with multiple disabilities due to visual impairment, construction of spatial cognition for visually impaired individuals, and navigation research based on multisensory cues. Scholars evolved their focus from the basic living needs and simple applications of assistive technologies for visually impaired individuals to an emphasis on personal experiences and actual needs, and finally to exploring how to utilize assistive technologies to enhance quality of life and orientation and mobility capabilities.

Conclusion Researches in orientation and mobility are on the rise, with hot topics including transportation and rehabilitation, assistive technologies, spatial cognition, and individuals with multiple disabilities related to visual impairment. It is needed to promote interdisciplinary research and collaboration, while focus on the development and innovation of orientation and mobility assistive technologies.

Key words: visual impairments, orientation and mobility, bibliometric analysis

CLC Number: