A bibliometric analysis of photobiomodulation therapy for the prevention and treatment of chemotherapy- and radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis

Introduction Photobiomodulation therapy has emerged as an effective non-invasive intervention for preventing and managing chemotherapy- and radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis, a frequent complication that negatively affects oral health and quality of life in cancer patients. Methods This bibliometric study was guided by PRISMA 2020 principles for study identification and selection. A total of 152 publications indexed in Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed between 2016 and 2025 were analyzed using bibliometric indicators, including publication trends, authorship, institutional productivity, country contributions, citation analysis, and keyword evolution. Results The results demonstrated a substantial increase in scientific production between 2016 and 2025, with Brazil, the United States, and France leading research output. The most productive institutions included Universidade Federal de Goiás, Universidade de São Paulo, and Harvard University, while Supportive Care in Cancer and Lasers in Medical Science were the most influential journals. International collaboration networks showed strong global partnerships, and keyword analysis revealed increasing focus on photobiomodulation therapy, oral mucositis, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and prevention. Conclusion These findings indicate rapid global expansion and increasing scientific and clinical relevance of photobiomodulation therapy research, providing valuable insights into scientific development, key contributors, and emerging research directions that support future advances in evidence-based oral healthcare. However, the bibliometric nature of the study, heterogeneity of the included literature, and the lack of direct assessment of clinical outcomes should be considered as limitations.