Healthcare analytics for frailty assessment and management in older adults: a systematic bibliometric review and strategic thematic analysis

This study is a systematic bibliometric review that maps the intellectual structure and thematic evolution of healthcare analytics research applied to frailty assessment and management in older adults within long-term care settings. Using the Scopus database, we retrieved 693 records published between 2017 and 2026, of which 122 review papers met the predefined inclusion criteria following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The purpose of this review is to (1) identify dominant analytical methods employed in frailty-related research, including statistical analytics, machine learning, digital health technologies, and assessment instruments; (2) examine how research themes have evolved across pre-pandemic and post-pandemic periods; (3) classify themes into motor, specialised, emerging, and basic categories using strategic diagram analysis based on centrality and density dimensions; and (4) characterise setting-specific and population-level patterns, identifying gaps in the current evidence base. Science mapping was performed using VOSviewer (version 1.6.20) for keyword co-occurrence analysis, and thematic clusters were classified into four quadrants following the Callon strategic diagram methodology. Expected outcomes include a conceptual framework integrating data sources, analytical methods, care settings, populations, and health outcomes; identification of research frontiers such as machine learning validation, dementia-specific analytics, and integrated care approaches; and actionable guidance for researchers, clinicians, and policymakers seeking to enhance frailty care through data-driven approaches. This registration was created after data collection but prior to journal submission to ensure transparency and reproducibility of the research protocol.