Bibliometric Analysis of Research in Pediatrics Related to Virtual and Augmented Reality: A Systematic Review

Introduction: The amount of research exploring the use of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies in health care has exploded. This has resulted in a massive body of work, making it difficult to obtain all of the research. The objective of this study was to map out and put together the scientific output of research and global trends in virtual and AR in pediatrics. Methods: Publications were collected from the Web of Science (WoS) database. The R tool was used to categorize and evaluate the research outputs, as well as the most productive and influential countries, journals, institutions, authors, articles, subject areas, and the latest research themes. The most utilized and co-occurring keywords were also examined. Texts, tables, and images were used to assess and describe the retrieval of findings. Results: The research was based on information from 7423 publications. The strongest growth in publications occurred in 2020. The most productive and influential country was the USA. The journal was Pediatrics, the author was G Riva, and the institution was the University of Washington. The most frequently occurring keywords were simulation, rehabilitation, and stroke. The main research themes were therapy, surgical education, and rehabilitation. Pain, stroke, anxiety, depression, fear, dementia, and neurodegenerative illnesses were all common medical issues investigated. Conclusion: VR studies have mainly focused on surgical education or procedures, simulation technologies, and neurological conditions. Neurological conditions are linked to balance, gait, and rehabilitation, reflecting the prevalence of these disease groups. This article provides a thorough overview of VR and AR studies in the healthcare field. This work will allow academics, policymakers, and practitioners to gain a deeper understanding of the evolution of VR and AR studies in the healthcare field and its potential practical implications. Future VR and AR research should focus on bridging the gap between VR and AR healthcare research and clinical applications. Emerging trends in related fields, such as navigation, rehabilitation, stroke, dementia, and VR exposure therapy, should be given special attention.