Global research trends in the effects of exercise on depression: A bibliometric study over the past two decades

Introduction:
With depression's growing global prevalence and substantial impact, effective prevention and management strategies are imperative. Our study aims to perform a thorough bibliometric analysis of existing research on the impact of exercise on depression.

Methods:
A comprehensive analysis of Web of Science Core Collection publications from 2000 to 2020 was performed, highlighting trends, themes, and influential authors. The study focused on subject categories, source journals, countries/regions, institutions, and prolific authors. Co-citation and keyword analyses revealed key themes, hotspots and the thematic evolution.

Results:
The multidisciplinary nature of this research is evident across psychiatry, psychology, neuroscience, and sports science. Specific populations such as women, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses were targeted. Mind-body exercises like yoga and tai chi gained prominence. Co-citation clusters showcased the evolution from early investigations on exercise's impact to recent dose-response and protocol studies.

Conclusions:
This bibliometric analysis provides insights into the dynamic field of exercise interventions for depression. It underscores the importance of individual differences, calls for guidelines considering comorbidities, and points towards future directions such as exploring mind-body exercise mechanisms and well-designed clinical trials. This study contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the research landscape and informs future endeavors aimed at refining depression treatment through exercise interventions.

Keywords: Depression; Emotional health; Exercise; Knowledge graph; Mind-body exercises.

PMID: 39183831 PMCID: PMC11341242 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32315