Exploring the Global Trends and Hotspots About Role of Physiotherapy in Prevention of Falls in the Geriatric Population: A Bibliometric Study and Visualization Analysis

Madhusmita Koch; Trishna Kakati; Amit Sharma; Abhijit Dutta; Lopa Das; Somyata C Satpathy Sarma; Phurailatpam Jeny Sharma; Rohit Sarma

doi:10.15621/ijphy/2025/v12i4/1947

Authors

Madhusmita Koch Associate Professor & Head Department of Physiotherapy, RSMAS, The Assam Royal Global University, Betkuchi, Opposite Balaji Temple, Guwahati, Assam, India. Email: kochmadhusmita@gmail.com
Trishna Kakati Assistant Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, RSMAS, The Assam Royal Global University, Betkuchi, Opposite Balaji Temple, Guwahati, Assam, India. Email: pinnaclekinesis@gmail.com
Amit Sharma Professor, School of Physiotherapy, RK University, Gujarat, India. Email: amit.sharma@rku.ac.in
Abhijit Dutta Professor of Physiotherapy and Dean, RSMAS, The Assam Royal Global University, Betkuchi, Opposite Balaji Temple, Guwahati, Assam, India. Email: abhijitdphysio@gmail.com
Lopa Das Professor and Principal, College of Physiotherapy and Medical Sciences, Bonda, Guwahati, Assam, India. Email: anusree1984@gmail.com
Somyata C Satpathy Sarma Associate Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, RSMAS, The Assam Royal Global University, Betkuchi, Opposite Balaji Temple, Guwahati, Assam, India. Email: somyata.satpathy@gmail.com
Phurailatpam Jeny Sharma Assistant Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, RSMAS, The Assam Royal Global University, Betkuchi, Opposite Balaji Temple, Guwahati, Assam, India. Email: jeny.physio@gmail.com
Rohit Sarma Assistant Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, RSMAS, The Assam Royal Global University, Betkuchi, Opposite Balaji Temple, Guwahati, Assam, India. Email: sarmarohit423@gmail.com

Abstract

Background: Falls are common in older adults, and physiotherapy plays a crucial role in preventing falls and minimizing their consequences. The purpose of the study was to forecast future directions in research on the role of physical therapy in preventing falls among older people, to thoroughly identify collaboration networks, to monitor research trends, and
to highlight current hotspots.
Methods: Research about the role of physiotherapy in fall prevention in the geriatric population published in the PubMed Database from January 01, 2005, to June 02, 2025, was retrieved. The bibliometric analysis was conducted using RStudio version 4.5.0 (2025–04–11–ucrt) and the Bibliometric and VOSviewer software (version 1.6.20).
Results: Australia was found to be the highest productive country with 362 research articles, and the University of Sydney was the most productive institution, with 79 articles. The journal “BMC Geriatrics” (N=50) and Sherrington C (N=21) were the most productive journal and author respectively.
Conclusions: At present, “exercise”, “independent living”, “fear”, “exercise therapy”, “physical therapy modalities”, “gait”, “humans”, “aged”, and “accidental falls or prevention and control” are important research topics. Future research from other parts of the world may offer a diverse perspective.