Global trends and research hotspots in pulmonary rehabilitation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a bibliometric analysis (2000–2024)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a prevalent chronic respiratory disorder characterized by persistent airflow limitation and substantial long-term disease burden. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR), a cornerstone non-pharmacological intervention in comprehensive COPD management, has undergone sustained expansion over the past two decades in both research volume and intervention paradigms. However, despite the rapid accumulation of evidence, the global research landscape, collaborative structure, and thematic evolution of COPD-related PR remain incompletely characterized. Bibliometric and visualization analyses therefore offer a systematic framework to delineate research patterns, emerging hotspots, and developmental trajectories in this field.