Table 3_Bibliometric analysis of ketogenic diet for pain based on dual databases: global trends and research hotspots from the Web of Science Core Collection and Scopus (2006–2025).xlsx

ObjectiveThe ketogenic diet (KD) has demonstrated beneficial effects on pain, yet no bibliometric study has systematically explored this association. This study aimed to evaluate global research trends and emerging hotspots on “ketogenic diet for pain” from 2006 to 2025, providing quantitative evidence and forward-looking perspectives for future basic and clinical research.
MethodsPublications from 2006 to 2025 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) and Scopus databases. Bibliometric analyses were conducted using Bibliometrix (R package), VOSviewer, and CiteSpace to assess performance and generate visualizations.
ResultsThis study included 328 eligible publications from the WoSCC and 786 from the Scopus database. From 2006 to 2021, the annual number of publications on KD–related pain research showed a sustained upward trend, followed by a phase of high-level fluctuation between 2022 and 2025. The United States emerged as the leading contributing country. An international collaboration network was formed, with the University of Basel (Switzerland) and Sapienza University of Rome (Italy) serving as central hubs. Nutrients published the largest number of articles and received widespread citations, whereas Cephalalgia was the most frequently cited journal. Nutrients and Epilepsia functioned as key academic collaboration hubs. Keyword co-occurrence and clustering analyses identified three major thematic domains: (1) the direct analgesic effects of the KD and its role in the management of chronic inflammatory pain; (2) the neuroprotective mechanisms of the KD and its synergistic analgesic effects when combined with pharmacological therapies; and (3) the improvement of comorbid mood disorders and the mitigation of metabolic risks associated with ketogenic dietary interventions. Current research hotspots focus on dietary strategies for migraine management, the application of KD in chronic pain conditions, and ketone body–mediated anti-inflammatory and neuromodulatory mechanisms.
ConclusionResearch on the beneficial role of KD in pain management has attracted growing global attention and is expected to become an important direction in future pain management. This study provides a comprehensive bibliometric overview of the current status and research hotspots, offering valuable guidance for subsequent investigations.

研究目的：生酮饮食（ketogenic diet, KD）已被证实对疼痛具有积极作用，但目前尚无文献计量学研究对这一关联进行系统性探索。本研究旨在梳理2006年至2025年间「用于疼痛管理的生酮饮食」领域的全球研究趋势与新兴研究热点，为后续基础与临床研究提供量化依据与前瞻性视角。
研究方法：本研究从Web of Science核心合集（Web of Science Core Collection, WoSCC）与Scopus数据库中检索2006年至2025年的相关文献。采用Bibliometrix（R语言包）、VOSviewer及CiteSpace开展文献计量分析，以评估研究产出特征并生成可视化图谱。
研究结果：本研究共纳入WoSCC数据库中符合纳入标准的文献328篇，Scopus数据库中786篇。2006年至2021年，KD相关疼痛研究的年度发文量呈持续上升趋势，2022年至2025年进入高位波动阶段。美国为该领域的核心贡献国家。已形成国际合作网络，其中瑞士巴塞尔大学与意大利罗马智慧大学（Sapienza University of Rome）为合作核心枢纽。《Nutrients》期刊发文量最多且被引广泛，而《Cephalalgia》是被引频次最高的期刊；《Nutrients》与《Epilepsia》则为关键的学术合作枢纽。通过关键词共现与聚类分析，本研究识别出三大核心主题领域：（1）KD的直接镇痛作用及其在慢性炎症性疼痛管理中的应用；（2）KD的神经保护机制，以及其与药物治疗联用时的协同镇痛效应；（3）生酮饮食干预对共病心境障碍的改善作用，以及相关代谢风险的缓解。当前研究热点聚焦于偏头痛管理的饮食策略、KD在慢性疼痛病症中的应用，以及酮体介导的抗炎与神经调节机制。
研究结论：KD在疼痛管理中的有益作用相关研究已获得全球日益增长的关注，有望成为未来疼痛管理领域的重要研究方向。本研究对该领域的当前研究现状与热点进行了全面的文献计量学梳理，可为后续相关研究提供具有参考价值的指导。