1. Bibliometric Analysis of Alternative Therapy Research
Su-Jiun Lin1*, Hsin-I Lin1, Yi-Ling Kuo1, Yee-Shuan Lee2 and Yuh-Shan Ho2#
1School of Nutrition and Health Sciences, Taipei Medical University
2Bibliometric Centre, Taipei Medical University - Wan-Fang Hospital
Introduction
Alternative therapies usually are used for non-acute and chronic psychological symptoms as alternative choices other than western drug intake. Since they do not induce impression of “sickness” hence they were easier to be adopted. Aromatherapy is an application of natural oil extracts especially for chronic fatigue and can subtle effects on the mind and emotions. Hydrotherapy is using the mechanical properties of water in company either with thermal effects to tone up the body and bring relief from pain. Generally believed during hypnosis, hypnotherapists helped individuals to reach their subconscious mind by entering into a trancelike state and can allow individuals to be relaxed physically, mentally, and emotionally and can instill positive messages replacing negative ones in subconscious. The purpose of the study was to develop a publication pattern of published documents related to aromatherapy, hydrotherapy, and hypnotherapy.
Methodology
Documents were extracted from Science Citation Index (SCI) published from 1991 to 2002 with keyword aromatherapy, hydrotherapy, and hypnotherapy for each category respectively. Analysis was based on yearly production, authorship, and country of origin of documents in each category.
Results
Total production of 381documents
Average yearly production was 31.8
Similar growth pattern in all therapies
Hypnotherapy favored small group collaboration
Aromatherapy and hydrotherapy showed similar pattern
Domination of main-stream countries
UK, USA, and Germany have contributed the most to all three therapies
Publication percentage share distributed more even among hydrotherapy than the other two
Conclusion
All 3 therapies were becoming a present research focus
Origin country distribution would affect the publication pattern
Publication were predominantly made by main-stream countries
Not quantitatively produced in all 3 therapies
Leading producing countries produced predominant portion hinted main-stream countries may lead the research trend
Language and document type distribution differs significantly from hydrotherapy and other two
Review has the highest CPP for all 3 therapies