Brazilian research on noninvasive brain stimulation applied to health conditions

ABSTRACT

Background: Brazil has a top position regarding scientific production on noninvasive neuromodulation worldwide. Knowledge of scientometric phenomena involving Brazilian researchers who produce science on this theme may aid confidence in Brazilian clinical and research professionals. Objective: To investigate the scenario of research on the theme of noninvasive neuromodulation in Brazil. Methods: This was a scientometric study for mapping scientific production on this subject involving network phenomena, the professions of researchers, institutional affiliation, main research unit, total number of scientific articles on noninvasive neuromodulation published in journals, research sub-area and year of obtaining the PhD title. Public data from Lattes Platform curricula vitae and from VOSViewer© were used. Results: A total of 54 Brazilian researchers were identified, of whom 16 are research productivity fellows. Most of them are linked to institutions in southeastern Brazil, involving the professions of biology, biochemistry, physical education, physiotherapy, speech therapy, gerontology, medicine and psychology, with 1175 articles published in journals. These studies involve experimental animal and human models to account for mechanisms, observational studies, case reports, randomized clinical trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, product and process development, computer modeling and guidelines. Conclusions: Brazil occupies a prominent place in the world scenario of research on noninvasive neuromodulation, which is used by different professions for treatment of brain dysfunctions, with a trend towards expansion to other fields.

RESUMO

Antecedentes: O Brasil ocupa posição de destaque na produção científica de neuromodulação não invasiva no mundo. O conhecimento dos fenômenos cientométricos envolvendo pesquisadores brasileiros que produzem ciência neste tema pode auxiliar na confiança dos profissionais clínicos e pesquisadores brasileiros. Objetivo: Investigar o cenário das pesquisas sobre a temática da neuromodulação não invasiva no Brasil. Métodos: Estudo cienciométrico para mapeamento da produção científica sobre o tema envolvendo fenômenos de rede, profissão dos pesquisadores, afiliação à instituição, unidade principal de pesquisa, número total de artigos científicos publicados em periódicos sobre neuromodulação não invasiva, subárea de pesquisa e ano de obtenção do título de doutor. Utilizou-se dados públicos dos currículos da Plataforma Lattes e do sistema VOSViewer©. Resultados: Foram identificados 54 pesquisadores brasileiros, dos quais 16 são bolsistas de produtividade em pesquisa, a maioria deles vinculados a instituições do Sudeste do Brasil, envolvendo as profissões de Biologia, Bioquímica, Educação Física, Fisioterapia, Fonoaudiologia, Gerontologia, Medicina e Psicologia, com 1175 artigos publicados em periódicos. As pesquisas envolvem modelos experimentais animais e humanos para estudar dos mecanismos, estudos observacionais, relatos de casos, ensaios clínicos randomizados, revisões sistemáticas, meta-análises, desenvolvimento de produtos e processos, modelagem computacional e diretrizes. Conclusões: O Brasil ocupa lugar de destaque no cenário mundial das pesquisas em neuromodulação não invasiva, sendo utilizado por diferentes profissões para o tratamento de disfunções cerebrais, que tendem a se expandir para outros campos.

Keywords:

Bibliometrics - Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation - Magnetic Field Therapy

Palavras-chave:

Bibliometria - Estimulação Elétrica Nervosa Transcutânea - Terapia de Campo Magnético

Authors’ contributions:

KNS: created the idea, developed the project, structured the method, collected data, analyzed data, wrote the article and approved the final version; GV: developed the project, analyzed data, wrote the article and approved the final version; MPS, DCA: wrote the article and approved the final version; AFP: collected data, analyzed data, wrote the article and approved the final version.

Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 09. Oktober 2020

Angenommen: 23. Januar 2021

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
04. Juli 2023

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