Research status and progress of Chinese traditional medicine for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: A bibliometric analysis and literature review

BACKGROUND: Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a prevalent and complex condition in men that significantly impairs patients' quality of life. While current Western medical treatments offer limited efficacy, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), with its distinctive system of syndrome differentiation, provides a range of therapeutic approaches for CP/CPPS. These include acupuncture, herbal prescriptions, Tuina massage, and other complementary interventions, often delivered through an integrated treatment strategy. This approach not only demonstrates notable therapeutic effectiveness but also exhibits a high safety profile. METHODS: This study integrates bibliometric analysis with a literature review. We retrieved publications on TCM for CP/CPPS from the Web of Science Core Collection (from its inception to April 2025). Analytical tools such as VOSviewer and CiteSpace were employed to examine publication trends, countries/institutions, and keywords, etc. Concurrently, the review synthesizes evidence on the efficacy and mechanisms of TCM interventions for CP/CPPS. RESULTS: The study analyzed 106 publications from 19 countries (2003-2025), revealing a gradual increase in annual publication output in recent years. China contributed the most publications (79 papers), with leading research institutions including Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. The journal Medicine was the most frequently published venue. In TCM theory, CP/CPPS is associated with dampness-heat, blood stasis, and qi stagnation, involving multiple meridians and organs, primarily the Bladder Meridian of Foot-Taiyang, etc. Acupuncture is identified as a core intervention. Potential mechanisms of TCM may include immunomodulation, enhanced local blood circulation, reduced inflammatory response, and regulation of the neuroendocrine system. CONCLUSION: Bibliometric analysis outlines the research trends and developments in TCM for CP/CPPS. The review synthesizes potential therapeutic mechanisms and efficacy of TCM, demonstrating that comprehensive TCM therapies exhibit well-documented efficacy and a favorable safety profile, thereby providing valuable references for clinical prevention and treatment of CP/CPPS. Future efforts should focus on further mechanistic exploration, promotion of high-quality research, and optimization of clinical protocols to facilitate broader application.