Scientific Trends and Development in Traditional and Complementary Medicine: A 60-Year Analysis (1965–2025)

Abstract

Aim: There is a noticeable gap in the literature regarding a comprehensive, multidimensional, and up-to-date evaluation of scientific publications in the field of Traditional, Complementary, Alternative, and Integrative Medicine (TCAIM). This study aims to address this gap by analyzing the global scientific output on TCAIM in terms of volume, trends, topic diversity, and institutional contributions.Material and Methods: Frequency analyses were performed to examine the distribution of publications according to publication year, subject areas, document types, leading journals, institutions, countries, and funding agencies.Results: The findings revealed a marked increase in the number of publications after 2000, with publication output reaching its peak in 2022. Topics such as “Phytochemicals,” “Alternative Medicine,” and “Antioxidant Activity” emerged as leading themes, accompanied by a growing number of studies grounded in pharmacological, clinical, and public health perspectives. Institutions such as Harvard University, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, and Kyung Hee University stood out for their substantial contributions, while public funding from China and the United States was found to play a major role in shaping the literature. Moreover, the study highlights that TCAIM is not limited to traditional practices but has become a multidisciplinary research domain encompassing clinical medicine, molecular biology, pharmacology, public health, and education.Conclusion: This study presents a holistic overview of the scientific evolution of TCAIM and offers valuable insights to guide future academic directions and policy-making initiatives.