Post-stroke physical rehabilitation and neuroplasticity: a bibliometric analysis (2000-2024)

Aims: This study aims to systematically analyze the global scientific literature on neuroplasticity in post-stroke rehabilitation to uncover major research themes, thematic evolution, and collaboration networks over the last two decades. Methods: A bibliometric analysis was conducted using data retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database, covering the period from January 2000 to December 2024. A total of 1.484 publications met the inclusion criteria. VOS viewer software was utilized to perform co-occurrence, co-authorship, co-citation, and bibliographic coupling analyses to visualize the intellectual structure and trends of the field. Results: A total of 1,484 publications were analyzed, revealing a sharp acceleration in scientific output since 2020, with a CAGR of 13.5% and a peak of 368 articles in 2023. Keyword mapping demonstrated a distinct thematic shift from foundational biological processes (2016-2018) toward advanced technological interventions like BCI, robotics, and virtual reality (2020-2022). The United States, China, and Italy emerged as the primary hubs of global productivity. Finally, co-citation and bibliographic coupling analyses delineate an integrated intellectual landscape sustained by four primary research axes: motor cortex plasticity, clinical protocols, non-invasive neuromodulation, and neuroimaging-based language recovery. Conclusion: Post-stroke neuroplasticity research has transformed into a highly dynamic and interdisciplinary field. The findings indicate a significant shift from basic biological research towards personalized and technology-assisted rehabilitation strategies. Future trends suggest an increasing integration of neuroengineering and multimodal therapies to optimize functional recovery.