Global research trends and clinical pathway integration in behavioral therapy for urinary incontinence: A scientometric and visualization analysis

Background: Urinary incontinence (UI) results from weakened pelvic tissues or a functionally impaired sphincter. While surgery is effective, its invasiveness limits its extensive use. Behavioral therapy, particularly pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT), offers a non-invasive, non-pharmacological alternative for improving urinary control. Objective: This study investigated global research hotspots and emerging frontiers in behavioral therapy for UI, aiming to clarify its core components, evidence base, and collaborative frameworks to inform the optimization of clinical pathways. Data were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (2005–2024) using the terms “urinary incontinence” AND “behavioral therapy.” CiteSpace was employed for co-citation, burst detection, and cluster analyses, whereas Bibliometrix (R package) was used to evaluate publication trends, author collaboration, thematic evolution, and scientific mapping. Extracted behavioral intervention parameters (type, frequency, and duration) were compared with current clinical pathway guidelines to identify gaps and alignments. The United States of America, the United Kingdom, and China were leading contributors to UI behavioral therapy research. The thematic evolution shifted from early “lifestyle interventions” to “smart sensor-based training” and, more recently, to “artificial intelligence-assisted rehabilitation.” Keyword clustering revealed nine major research themes, emphasizing PFMT, bladder training, biofeedback, and digital self-management. Thematic analysis revealed a growing focus on digitalization, personalization, and adherence management. Integration with clinical pathways highlighted gaps in adherence monitoring, personalized intensity adjustment, and digital follow-up mechanisms. Conclusion: The scientometric visualization analysis elucidates the knowledge structure and developmental trends, providing a foundation for the development of standardized, technology-enabled, and ethically governed clinical pathways.