INTRODUCTION: This bibliometric analysis examines the evolution of research into post-stroke depression (PSD) between 1985 and 2024, evaluating publication trends, key contributions, and thematic shifts in the field. METHODS: The study analyzed 3146 studies retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. Keyword and thematic analyses were conducted using the software tools VOSviewer and CiteSpace. RESULTS: Publications on PSD increased significantly after 2010. China (796 articles) and the United States (615 articles) were the leading countries in research output. Analyses revealed core research themes encompassing depression prevalence, rehabilitation strategies, quality of life, and recovery outcomes. Thematic clusters identified diverse areas of focus, including cognitive impairment, socioeconomic disparities, caregiver roles, alternative therapies, and the influence of culture on PSD management. Emerging trends indicated by citation bursts included "healthcare professionals," "fatigue," and "meta-analysis," pointing to current frontiers in interdisciplinary care, symptom complexity, and evidence synthesis. Highly cited studies emphasized integrating mental health assessments into stroke care and the critical role of rehabilitation in mitigating PSD. CONCLUSION: The findings illustrate the field's progression from early observational studies to multifaceted investigations addressing the biological, psychological, and social dimensions of PSD. Future research should prioritize multidisciplinary frameworks, culturally sensitive interventions, and innovative therapies. This study underscores the need for holistic rehabilitation models that integrate physical and mental healthcare to improve outcomes for stroke survivors, thereby informing clinical practice, policy, and further research.
Wang et al. (Mon,) studied this question.