Swimming Toward Recovery: Mapping Research on Dolphin Therapy and Cerebral Palsy through Bibliometric Analysis

Background Dolphin-assisted therapy (DAT) has gained increasing attention as a complementary intervention for children with cerebral palsy. However, the scientific literature remains poorly mapped and conceptually inconsistent, frequently conflating this pediatric neurodevelopmental condition with adult-onset neurodegenerative disorders—particularly Parkinson’s disease—thereby raising concerns about clinical relevance and theoretical coherence. Data and Methods: We conducted a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of 373 peer-reviewed articles indexed in Scopus (1993–2025). Using a systematic keyword-based search strategy, we analyzed publication trends, collaboration networks, institutional productivity, and thematic evolution. Data were processed and visualized using Bibliometrix (via Biblioshiny) and VOSviewer, employing co-occurrence analysis, overlay visualization, and strategic diagram mapping to delineate the intellectual structure and developmental trajectory of the field. Results Publications increased annually by 11.21%, peaking at 40 in 2024, with strong collaboration (6.64 co-authors/article) and 24.9% international co-authorship. Research is led by a few authors (LEE, PHIL-HYU; ZOGALA, DAVID) and institutions (Yonsei University; UC San Diego). Most papers appear in neurology journals like Movement Disorders and Parkinsonism and Related Disorders . Keyword analysis identified three clusters: clinical studies, preclinical mechanistic research, and Parkinson’s biomarker work. Temporal patterns shifted from clinical (2016–2018) to mechanistic (2019–2020) to translational (2021–2022). Thematic mapping revealed underdeveloped female- and sex-specific research compared to motor-related male-focused studies. Conclusion Despite growing output, the field is misaligned framed through adult Parkinson’s paradigms despite targeting children with a non-progressive condition. The neglect of pediatric specificity, sex differences, and experiential dimensions limits clinical relevance. Future research must prioritize developmentally appropriate, patient-centered, and methodologically rigorous inquiry to determine whether dolphin therapy offers genuine therapeutic value or remains an unproven intervention shaped more by narrative than evidence.