Traditional Chinese Medicine for Sleep Disorders Linked with Malignant Neoplasms: A Bibliometric Analysis of Research Trends and Emerging Priorities

Purpose: Sleep disorders (SDs) in patients with malignant neoplasms (MN) are frequent and may affect quality of life and treatment efficacy. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is advantageous for SD management; however, its role in addressing SDs in patients with MN is understudied. We aimed to evaluate the current landscape and trends in TCM interventions in these patients utilizing bibliometric methodologies. Methods: A systematic retrieval of pertinent literature published until November, 2024, was conducted using the Web of Science Core Collection. Bibliometric analysis and topic modeling were performed using VOSviewer and CiteSpace. Results: In total, 228 articles were included in the bibliometric review, which revealed marked increase in publications since 2014, with China and the United States as primary contributors. The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre is leading the research in the United States. Key research areas have transitioned from “quality of life management” to “breast cancer treatment” and subsequently to “psychophysiological effects.” Current research focuses on “randomized controlled trials,” “network pharmacology,” and “standardization of research methods.” Conclusion : Investigation of TCM for SD in MN is receiving heightened attention, with China and the United States at the forefront. Future studies should prioritize randomized controlled trial designs, leverage network-pharmacology approaches for in-depth mechanistic exploration, and standardize research methodologies and clinical-treatment protocols. Future research trajectories should encompass music, forest, and TCM emotional therapies within an integrative medicine framework and TCM strategies aimed at alleviating SD in patients with cancer with conditions closely tied to emotional health, particularly in those with lung, liver, and gastrointestinal tumors.