Bibliometric analysis of the scientific production on Acupuncture indexed in the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro)

© 2017 Elsevier España, S.L.U. Objective To identify the production and visibility of publications on acupuncture indexed in the PEDro database for the period 2012-2016. Material and methods PEDro was used for the retrieval of the records and for the evaluation of the visibility of the Web of Science publications. The Bibliometric indicators applied were: production, Bradford's dispersion with Egghe's formulation, and visibility of publications. Results A total of 872 articles published in 275 international journals were retrieved, with 66.40% being clinical trials. Subjects with higher production were: Musculoskeletal (43.46%), pain (70%), and the cervical region (27.80%). In the Bradford nucleus were found: Zhongguo ZhenJiu [Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion], Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Acupuncture in Medicine, World Journal of Acupuncture Moxibustion, Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, and Complementary Therapies in Medicine. Half (50%) of the publications showed visibility and had an impact factor, of which 50% were in a first and second quartile. Conclusions The interest of acupuncture is evident in the field of physiotherapy. However, it is necessary to expand research lines and with greater visibility.