We used the following terms to do a search on the Scopus website, taking into consideration that this website contains research that is considered to be valid: TITLE – ABS – KEY (gastroparesis) AND TITLE – ABS – KEY (therapy) AND TITLE – ABS – KEY (“nerve stimulation”) are the titles of the products that are under consideration. fifty-nine documents were received by us. We then save the document from Scopus in the form of a file with the extension.csv file following this step.

Both the Biblioshiny and Vosviewer software packages were utilised in the analysis process.

Documents by year

Based on Figure 1, it appears that there has been an increase in the number of documents, until in 2023 there were 5 documents. The oldest document in 2002 was entitled Gastric electrical stimulation in intractable symptomatic gastroparesis., written by Abell, T. L et al., ⁷ Next is the article entitled Physiology and pathophysiology of the interstitial cells of cajal: From bench to bedside VI. Pathogenesis and therapeutic approaches to human gastric dysrhythmias written by Owyang, C., and Hasler, W.L. ⁸ Meanwhile, the latest document in 2024 is entitled F Non-invasive neuromodulation: an emerging intervention for visceral pain in gastrointestinal disorders written by Alam, M.J. and Chen, J.D.Z. ⁹ Next is the article entitled Transcutaneous electrical stimulation for gastrointestinal motility disorders written by Song, G. et al, ¹⁰ next article is Gastric peroral endoscopic myotomy for management of refractory gastroparesis in patients with gastric neurostimulator devices: a multicenter retrospective case control study written by Ichkhanian, Y. et al. ¹¹ next article is Electroceuticals for Neurogastroenterology and Motility Disorders written by Jiang, Y. and Soffer, E. ¹² And next article is Noninvasive electrical neuromodulation for gastrointestinal motility disorders written by Yin, J. and Chen, J.D.Z. ¹³

Most relevant sources

Based on Figure 2, the following are the journals that publish the most important documents: The first is neurogastroenterology and mobility. This journal has been indexed in Scopus. The Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility is published by Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd. The SJR (Scientific Journal Rankings) for Neurogastroenterology and Motility in 2023 is 0.944. The H-index for neurogastroenterology and mobility is 126. This journal accepts articles that focus on the fields of gastroenterology and neurology, especially those related to gastrointestinal motility. Some topics that frequently appear in publications in this journal include, but are not limited to, the pathophysiology and treatment of gastroparesis, esophageal smooth muscle phenotype in achalasia, retrograde cricopharyngeus dysfunction, and the effects of trimebutine and rifaximin on glucose breath testing in patients with functional bloating.

In second place is the journal Neuromodulation. This journal has been indexed in Scopus. The Journal of Neuromodulation is published by Elsevier on behalf of the International Neuromodulation Society. The SJR (Scientific Journal Rankings) for neuromodulation in 2023 is 0.827. The H-index for neuromodulation is 77. This journal accepts papers focused on the field of neuromodulation, including clinical, translational, and basic research. Some topics that frequently appear in this journal's publications include, but are not limited to, pain, headaches, movement disorders, spasticity, paralysis, psychiatric disorders, epilepsy, sensory deprivation, gastric dysfunction, obesity, and incontinence.

In third place is the American Journal of Physiology—Gastrointestinal. This journal has been indexed in Scopus since 1980. The American Journal of Physiology—Gastrointestinal is published by the American Physiological Society. The SJR (Scientific Journal Rankings) for the American Journal of Physiology-Gastrointestinal in 2023 is 1,383. The H-index for the American Journal of Physiology-Gastrointestinal is 191. Original research on any area of the gastrointestinal tract, hepatobiliary system, or pancreas, whether normal or pathological, is welcome to be published in this publication. Manuscripts pertaining to these organs' growth and development, digestion, secretion, absorption, metabolism, and motility are all welcome, as are research reports on immune and inflammatory processes, as well as those involving neural, endocrine, and circulatory control mechanisms.

Factorial map of the most cited documents

Based on Figure 3, the following is a summary of a study entitled Bioelectric neuromodulation for gastrointestinal disorders: effectiveness and mechanisms by Payne SC, published in the journal Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology. ¹⁴

This study examines the use of electrical stimulation of nerves or brain centers as a therapeutic tool being tested in a variety of human diseases, including Parkinson's disease, arthritis, depressive disorders, schizophrenia, pain, and bladder dysfunction. ¹⁴

Neuromodulation, bioelectrical neuromodulation, or electroceuticals are terms used to describe this therapy. The clinical community is very interested in the potential application of bioelectric neuromodulation to treat gastrointestinal-related illnesses, and several gastrointestinal tract sites have been studied for a variety of conditions. ¹⁴

In many cases, The variability of outcomes and the lack of clarity around mechanisms of action pose significant therapeutic problems (such as the ideal stimulus settings) that have already been discussed in other reviews. Sacral nerve stimulation for fecal incontinence is still the sole widely utilized neuromodulation protocol for gastrointestinal problems, despite the fast advancements in bioelectrical neuromodulation technology during the past ten years. ¹⁴

Success rates for treating various ailments like IBD, obesity, nausea, and gastroparesis have varied. By gaining more insight into the targeted brain circuits and their physiological and pathological roles, improving stimulation protocols, and identifying the patients who would benefit most from these therapies, the therapeutic effectiveness of these bioelectric neuromodulation therapies may be increased. ¹⁴

Factorial map of the documents with the highest contributes

In Figure 4, the following is a summary of the study entitled Clinical trial: interferential electric stimulation in functional dyspepsia patients: a prospective randomized study by Koklu S, published in the journal Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. ¹⁵

This study aimed to analyze if transcutaneous electrical stimulation is a treatment that works for patients with functional dyspepsia. Functional dyspepsia patients were randomly assigned to vacuum interference flow (IFC) and placebo groups. Both treatments consisted of 12 sessions given over 4 weeks. ¹⁵

The outcomes demonstrated that while heartburn and vomiting did not significantly change in the placebo group, all symptoms in the therapy group—aside from early satiety—improved during and after treatment sessions. During treatment sessions, it was demonstrated that IFC therapy was more effective than placebo in terms of pyrosis, bloating, early satiety, and post-meal satiety. ¹⁵

Vacuum IFC was demonstrated to be more effective than a placebo one month following the treatment session in terms of early satiety and stomach ulcers. To sum up, vacuum IFC is a successful, non-invasive treatment for functional dyspepsia. Patients with drug-resistant functional dyspepsia may benefit from a novel kind of treatment called transcutaneous electrical stimulation. ¹⁵

Documents by author

Based on Figure 5. the most authors with 5 documents are Yin, J., with the titles of several articles, namely: A novel approach in spinal cord stimulation for enhancing gastric motility: A preliminary study on canines, Emerging Gastric Stimulation for Dysmotility Disorder and Obesity, Electrical therapies for gastrointestinal motility disorders, Ameliorating effect of transcutaneous electroacupuncture on impaired gastric accommodation induced by cold meal in healthy subjects, and Gastric neuromodulation with Enterra system for nausea and vomiting in patients with gastroparesis. ^{16 – 20}

The next most author with 4 documents is Chen, J.D.Z., with the titles of several articles, namely: A novel approach in spinal cord stimulation for enhancing gastric motility: A preliminary study on canines, Electrical therapies for gastrointestinal motility disorders, Gastric neuromodulation with Enterra system for nausea and vomiting in patients with gastroparesis, and Effects and mechanisms of electrical stimulation of the stomach, duodenum, ileum, and colon on gastric tone in dogs. ^{16 , 18 , 20 , 21}

The next most author with 4 documents is McCallum, R.W., with the titles of several articles, namely Surgical approaches to treatment of gastroparesis: Gastric electrical stimulation, pyloroplasty, total gastrectomy and enteral feeding tubes, Gastric neuromodulation with Enterra system for nausea and vomiting in patients with gastroparesis, Treatment of Refractory Gastroparesis: Gastric and Jejunal Tubes, Botox, Gastric Electrical Stimulation, and Surgery, and Gastrointestinal Electrical Stimulation for Treatment of Gastrointestinal Disorders: Gastroparesis, Obesity, Fecal Incontinence, and Constipation. ^{20 , 22 – 24}

Documents by country or territory

Based on Figure 6, the United States is the country with the largest number of document producers 46 documents. Followed by Canada with 4 documents, China with 4 documents, and Germany with 3 documents.

Documents by subject area ( Table 1, Figure 7)

Documents by affiliation

Based on Figure 8, in first place, the producer of the most documents is affiliated with the John Hopkins University with 5 documents, next in second place is affiliated with John Hopkins University School of Medicine with 4 documents and next is the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center with 4 documents.

Network visualization

Based on Figure 9, it can be seen that the areas studied are still not related to other areas that are divided into edges. That field is: stomach motility, electrode, electrodes implanted, diabetic stomach paresis, heart arrhythmia, diet therapy, animal experiment, irritable colon, and gabapentin.

Overlay visualization of scopus, database using Vosviewer

Based on Figure 10. In the overlay visualization, it appears that the keywords that are being researched a lot approaching 2018 are the parts colored yellow, namely: diabetic stomach paresis, abdominal pain, physiology, procedures, electrotherapy, innervation, neuromodulation, sacral nerve stimulation, gastrointestinal disease, and gastrointestinal diseases.

Density visualization

Based on Figure 11. In the visual circulation density, it appears that the part that is already saturated with research is yellow, while the part that is not yet saturated is slightly yellow and dominantly green, namely keywords: clinical article, stomach motility, young adult, electrodes implanted, electrode, animal experiment, diabetic stomach paresis, major clinical study, abdominal pain, diabetes mellitus, physiology, animals, disease severity, therapy effect case report, antiemetic agent, pyloroplastu, prokinetic agent, pyloromyotomy, gastrecromy, tegaserod, domperidone, clinical feature, cisapride, heart arrhtymia, diet therapy, gabapentin, prevalence, electrostimulation therapy, dyspepsia, irritable colon, gastrointestinal motility diso, gastrointestinal disease, gastrointestinal diseases. Sacral nerve stimulation, gastrointestinal tract, neuromodulation, electroacunpuncture, intestine innervation, innervation, animal, animals, and gastrointestinal motility.

Thematic map

Based on Figure 12, Based on the thematic map, it can be explained as follows: Upper Left Quadrant (Niche and Emerging/Declining Themes): This quadrant contains keywords such as “pain,” “transcutaneous,” “prospective clinical study,” and “cable approaches.” This indicates a focus on innovative clinical studies related to pain management via transcutaneous methods.

Top Right Quadrant (Motor and Emerging/Declining Themes)*: This quadrant is empty, indicating that there may be little innovation currently or waning interest in this area. Bottom Left Quadrant (Niche and Basic Themes)*: This quadrant includes keywords such as “arterra electronic devices,” indicating a focus on electronic devices in the context of medical applications that are considered niche but basic.

Lower Right Quadrant (Motor and Basic Themes): This quadrant represents basic motor themes with keywords such as “vagal nerve emerging,” “gastric electrical stimulation,” and larger keyword clusters including “diabetic gastroparesis” and “gastrointestinal neuromodulation." This represents an established medical practice that focuses on electrical stimulation for conditions such as diabetic gastroparesis.

Each keyword or keyword cluster provides insight into a specific area of medical research or practice, indicating what is currently niche or basic and what is considered emerging or declining within this thematic area.

Thematic evolution

Based on Figure 13, There was an evolution of changes in themes in research in 2002–2016 with the keywords motility, gastrointestinal, diabetic, gastroparesis, and prospective. The theme then changed in 2017–2023 to gastrointestinal, stimulation, gastroparesis, and management.

Topic dendogram

Based on Figure 14. There are 2 large clusters based on keywords. There are 2 clusters of blue and red.

Country collaboration map

Based on Figure 15. Intense cooperation in this field is only carried out by China and the United States.

The vagus nerve is a cranial nerve that plays an important role in various body functions, including the control of muscle movements in digestion. In the context of gastroparesis, damage to the vagus nerve can cause delayed gastric emptying. ^{37 , 41} Some therapies in development include relamorelin, prucalopride, and aprepitant. ^{41 , 66 , 70}

The word devices may refer to the tools or devices used in gastric electrical stimulation therapy. However, more specific information may require further research. ^{41 , 66 , 70}

The word electronic may refer to the electronic aspects of gastric electrical stimulation therapy, such as how the device generates and sends electrical signals to the stomach muscles. ^{41 , 66 , 70}

Enterra refers to Enterra Therapy, a medical treatment designed to help control chronic nausea and vomiting associated with gastroparesis. This therapy works through what is known as gastric electrical stimulation (GES). Gastric electrical stimulation involves stimulating the smooth muscles in the lower abdomen with mild electrical pulses. ⁷⁰

The word gastrointestinal refers to the digestive system, which includes the stomach and intestines. Gastroparesis is a gastrointestinal disorder that affects the normal function of the stomach. ⁶⁶

The word disorders” refers to disorders or medical conditions that affect the normal function of the stomach and digestive tract. Gastroparesis is a gastrointestinal disorder that affects the normal function of the stomach.

Neuromodulation is a technique used to regulate neural activity by stimulating or inhibiting nerve signals. In the context of gastroparesis, neuromodulation may be used to help control symptoms. ^{41 , 66 , 70}

Gastroparesis is a condition characterized by delayed gastric emptying and symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, early satiety, bloating, and upper abdominal pain. ^{43 , 50 , 57}

Patients, This refers to individuals diagnosed with gastroparesis and undergoing treatment. Management of patients with gastroparesis involves a multidisciplinary approach that includes lifestyle changes, pharmacologic therapy, and, in some cases, surgical intervention. ⁵⁰

Gastroparesis often occurs in individuals with diabetes, and this condition is known as diabetic gastroparesis. Diabetes can cause damage to the vagus nerve, which controls muscle movement in digestion, causing gastroparesis. ³⁷

Gastric electrical stimulation is a procedure in which a small device that produces mild electrical pulses is implanted in the patient's body. This device helps promote the movement of food through the stomach more easily and controls symptoms associated with gastroparesis such as nausea and vomiting. ⁶⁶

VOSviewer software is an open-access tool that can be used as a cost-effective method for any scientometric analysis ⁷²

AYS conducts research, gathers data, performs statistical analysis, and produces discussions and conclusions, RV and DAYS editing.