Hydrogel research in peripheral nerve injury repair: a comprehensive multi-database bibliometric analysis (2015–2025)

Background: Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) represents a significant clinical challenge with limited therapeutic efficacy. Hydrogel scaffolds, which mimic the natural neural extracellular matrix, have emerged as promising biomaterials for nerve regeneration. However, clinical translation is constrained by material stability issues and insufficient integration with host biological systems. This bibliometric analysis aims to map the evolving research landscape and identify emerging trends to guide future therapeutic development. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC), Scopus, PubMed from January 2015 to October 2025. Following deduplication and eligibility screening, 502 articles were included for bibliometric analysis. Publication trends, collaborative networks, and thematic evolution were analyzed using VOSviewer, CiteSpace, SCImago Graphica, and the R package bibliometrix. Results: The field demonstrated substantial growth over the decade, with publication volume increasing from 10 papers in 2015 to 80 in 2023. China dominated research output (55.0% of publications), though studies from the United States and Canada achieved higher average citation impact. Five major research clusters were identified, with significant focus on conductive hydrogels and Schwann cell-mediated regeneration. Thematic analysis revealed a paradigm shift from material characterization to mechanism-driven research, highlighting emerging interests in macrophage immunomodulation, angiogenesis, and nanofiber applications. Co-citation analysis indicated growing attention toward functionalized nerve guidance conduits and 3D/4D bioprinting technologies. Conclusion: Hydrogel-based PNI repair research has matured from basic scaffold development to integrated platforms combining electrical conductivity, advanced fabrication, and neural guidance engineering. Future priorities should emphasize stimuli-responsive "smart" hydrogel systems, pro-angiogenic strategies, and interdisciplinary collaboration to accelerate clinical translation.