Bibliometrics of Physical Therapy in Brazil: na analysis based on the profession specialties

ABSTRACT Physical therapy lacks bibliometric analyses that report the most relevant aspects of its scientific production, as well as the profile of publications of the several specialties of this profession. This bibliometric analysis aimed to evaluate the articles published in Brazilian journals in the field of Physical Therapy and verify their relationship with the profession specialties. This cross-sectional study involved 15 journals with a focus on Physical Therapy, considering articles published between 2011 and 2014. Data of the journals were collected in each home page. We analyzed articles classified among the specialties of Physical Therapy, recognized by the Federal Council of Physical and Occupational Therapy. The Southeast region presented the greatest number of journals and the largest scientific production. Qualis B1 and B4 were the most frequent ones. Among the 2,683 articles, 1,664 (62%) were linked to the area of Physical Therapy. The time between submission and acceptance was 157 (68-243) days, and, from acceptance to publication, 109 (60-177) days. Trauma-Orthopedic Physical Therapy concentrated the highest number of publications (34.3%). Quantitative (80.8%) and human subject research (83.9%), as well as inferential statistics (67.7%), were the most frequent ones and prevailed among the specialties. Physical Therapy remains on the rise regarding the quantity and quality of its research in Brazil, glimpsing the growth of evidence-based professional practice in its various specialties. However, its articles still take a long time to be published. The higher prevalence of quantitative research and inferential statistics may promote substantial progress to the profession.

**摘要**：目前物理治疗（Physical Therapy）领域尚未有相关文献计量分析，既能系统报告该领域科研产出的核心方面，也能覆盖该专业各细分专科的发表概况。本文献计量分析旨在评估巴西物理治疗学期刊发表现有文章，并验证其与该专业各专科的关联。本研究为横断面研究，纳入15种以物理治疗为核心聚焦方向的期刊，收录2011年至2014年间发表的文章，期刊相关数据均从各期刊官方主页采集。本研究分析的文章均按照巴西物理和职业治疗委员会认可的物理治疗专科分类标准完成归类。研究结果显示：巴西东南部地区拥有数量最多的物理治疗学期刊，同时科研产出规模也位居全国首位；Qualis分级为B1与B4的期刊占比最高。在纳入的2683篇文章中，共有1664篇（占比62%）归属物理治疗领域。文章从投稿至接收的中位时长为157天（四分位距：68~243天），从接收到正式发表的中位时长为109天（四分位距：60~177天）。创伤骨科物理治疗相关文章的发表占比最高，达34.3%。定量研究（占比80.8%）、人体受试者研究（占比83.9%）以及推断统计学分析（占比67.7%）为最常见的研究类型，且在各专科研究中均占据主导地位。研究结论指出：巴西物理治疗领域的科研工作在数量与质量层面均呈上升态势，各专科的循证专业实践发展前景可观。但目前物理治疗类文章的发表周期仍然偏长。定量研究与推断统计学分析的高占比，或将为该专业的发展带来实质性进展。