Research Progress and Trends in Exercise Interventions for Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Bibliometric Visualization Analysis Using CiteSpace

Abstract

Purpose: With the increasing global aging population, exercise interventions for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) have gained significant research attention. This study uses CiteSpace6.3R2 to systematically analyze the research progress and emerging trends in this field. Methods: A comprehensive literature search in the Web of Science Core Collection focused on exercise interventions for MCI. After screening, 420 relevant publications were imported into CiteSpace6.3R2 for bibliometric analysis, generating visual maps of keywords, authors, institutions, and other key indicators. Results: Publications on exercise interventions for MCI have shown steady growth, with Journal of Alzheimers' Disease leading in volume, and Geriatrics & Gerontology as the dominant subject area. The USA ranks highest in collaborative output, with the Chinese University of Hong Kong as the top institution. Among authors, Shimada Hiroyuki and three Japanese colleagues are key contributors, while Neurology is the most frequently co-cited journal. The most frequently co-cited author, Petersen, R.C. has his 2018 work as the top reference. High co-occurrence keywords include "mild cognitive impairment", "dementia", and "Alzheimer's disease". The primary keyword clusters are #0 Cognitive training, #1 Cognitive impairment, and #2 Mild Cognitive impairment, while newly burst keywords "systematic review", "recommendations", and "depression". Conclusion: Research on exercise interventions for MCI has been steadily gaining attention, becoming an interdisciplinary research area in fields such as geriatrics and neuroscience, with relevant findings concentrated in specific journals. In the collaboration network, developed countries dominate, showing systematic patterns of inter-institutional collaboration, while author collaborations are primarily focused within institutions. Current research is centered on the design and mechanisms of exercise intervention programs. Future studies will prioritize integrated intervention strategies, systematic evidence synthesis, and personalized interventions for specific populations.