Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice ›› 2026, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (4): 399-410.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2026.04.004

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Application of action observation therapy in stroke rehabilitation from 2016 to 2025: a bibliometric analysis

HUANG Cheng1, SHEN Yangyi1, LU Biying2, LIU Tong1,3(), LIU Yue1,3()   

  1. 1 The Fifth Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510030, China
    2 Clinical College of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510030, China
    3 Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research and Development In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510030, China
  • Received:2026-01-30 Published:2026-04-25 Online:2026-05-06
  • Contact: LIU Tong, LIU Yue E-mail:liutongmama@163.com;liuyue2288@163.com
  • Supported by:
    Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation(2022A1515220012);Guangdong Provincial Second Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Scientific Research Innovation Fund(SEZYY2023B17)

Abstract:

Objective To analyze the application trends and research hotspots of action observation therapy (AOT) in the field of stroke rehabilitation over the past decade.

Methods Literatures on AOT in stroke rehabilitation published from January, 2016 to December, 2025 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database. CiteSpace 6.4.R1 was used for visual analysis.

Results A total of 463 articles were included. The annual publication volume showed a fluctuating upward trend. The country with the highest number of publications was China, the most productive institution was Chang Gung University and Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, and the most prolific author was Avanzini Pietro. Mirror neuron system, motor imagery, upper limb and facilitation were identified as high-frequency keywords and bursting words.

Conclusion In the past decade, the number of publications on AOT in stroke rehabilitation has generally increased. Researches are focusing on the synergy of sensory-closed-loop multimodal technologies, reconstruction of fine upper limb function and neural facilitation mechanisms.

Key words: stroke, action observation therapy, neural plasticity, bibliometrics

CLC Number: