Application of extracorporeal shock wave therapy in pain management: a bibliometric analysis of current advances and trends.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to map the global research landscape, emerging topics, key contributors, and developmental trends in extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) for pain management.

METHODS

English-language publications on ESWT for pain management published from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2025, were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC), with PubMed used for independent validation. Using software such as Excel, VOSviewer, RStudio, CiteSpace, BICOMB, and Incites, we conduct visual analyses of basic literature information, publication patterns, output trends, countries/regions, institutions, journals, keywords, and influential authors.

RESULTS

Of 1,520 records identified, 774 WoSCC articles met the inclusion criteria. Research output increased substantially over time and involved 57 countries or regions. China and Italy were the most productive countries, whereas Germany showed the highest citation impact. Maffulli N was the most prolific author, and Rompe JD ranked first in citation frequency and h-index. Clinical Orthopedics and Related Research was the most frequently cited journal. Keyword and citation analyses identified major themes including plantar fasciitis, shoulder disorders, low back pain, lateral epicondylitis, chronic pelvic pain syndrome, knee osteoarthritis, core decompression, and myofascial pain syndrome. Musculoskeletal pain remained the dominant focus, whereas knee osteoarthritis, chronic pelvic pain syndrome, and myofascial pain syndrome emerged as growing topics. PubMed validation including 555 articles showed comparable publication trends and core research themes.

CONCLUSION

ESWT research in pain management has progressed from early efficacy validation toward translational expansion, mechanistic investigation, regenerative applications, and broader clinical indications. Cross-database validation supports the robustness of the WoSCC-based findings. Future studies should prioritize multicenter randomized trials, standardized treatment protocols, mechanistic exploration, and international collaboration to strengthen the physiological and clinical evidence base for ESWT as a non-pharmacological pain-management strategy.