Background:
Laryngeal dystonia (LD) is a neurological disorder with an unclear pathogenesis, manifesting as vocal difficulties due to localized dystonia within the larynx. Despite its low prevalence, it profoundly impacts both the physical and psychological well-being of patients, often precipitating severe psychological conditions like anxiety, depression, and other emotional disturbances, which can sometimes escalate into serious mental disorders.
Objectives:
This study aims to comprehensively analyze global research trends and developments in laryngeal dystonia (LD), providing valuable insights into the current state of LD research and identifying emerging areas for future investigation, with a particular focus on the role of novel technologies and interdisciplinary collaborations.
Methods:
We conducted a bibliometric analysis of 497 studies on LD retrieved from PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science, spanning from 1971 to 2023. Utilizing R, VOSviewer, and Citespace, we examined the characteristics and trends of the accumulated scientific literature, aiming to offer comprehensive insights and directions for future research.
Results:
The analysis revealed substantial growth in publications, with significant contributions from 1,555 authors across 120 journals. The United States, Japan, and Canada were the leading contributors. Notably, 44.5% of the studies appeared in four core journals, including the Journal of Voice. Research was largely supported by 372 grants, predominantly from the National Institutes of Health (USA). Emerging research areas include treatments for LD, assessment tools, and innovative fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), cortical silent periods (CSP), and deep brain stimulation (DBS).
Conclusions:
Despite the growing research interest in LD, substantial breakthroughs remain scarce. Collaborative international efforts are essential to drive innovative advancements in LD research, particularly by leveraging new technologies such as AI, to sustain and accelerate development in this evolving field.