Bibliometric analysis of cognitive stimulation and movement using primary search engines

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in publications exploring the health benefits of cognitive stimulation and movement across various age groups. This study provides a comprehensive overview of current cognitive stimulation and movement research by conducting a bibliometric analysis of significant international papers published between 2012 and 2022. The insights obtained from this study provide valuable guidance for future research initiatives in this area. A total of 72 publications from primary search engines (Web of Science and Scopus) were included in this analysis. Using an ex post facto retrospective design, the information was classified to facilitate subsequent analysis of various variables, including temporal, demographic, linguistic, production, citation, and methodological factors. The primary findings reveal that most publications are focused on the medical domain, with a considerable emphasis on research concerning Alzheimer's disease. Among the countries, England and Switzerland are the most prominent contributors, with Romero-Naranjo being the most prolific author. Noteworthy scholars such as Abraha, Rimland, Trotta, Dell'Aquila, Cruz-Jentoft, Petrovic, Gudmundsson, Soiza, O'Mahony, Guaita, and Cherubini are identified as the most frequently cited. Furthermore, single-category journals and second-order papers are prevalent in the literature. In terms of publication impact, the second quartile (Q2) is predominant, with BMJ Open emerging as the most cited journal. The combination of movement and cognitive stimulation has significant potential for academic advancement, impacting motor skills (such as coordination, balance, or planning) and enhancing the learning process, memory, and concentration across various educational stages. However, the field of education remains relatively underexplored in terms of investigating the influence of cognitive stimulation and movement. Therefore, there is a pressing need for further research in this area.