Mapping the research landscape of pulmonary rehabilitation in lung cancer: a bibliometric analysis [1997–2025]

Background Pulmonary rehabilitation is increasingly recognized as beneficial for lung cancer patients; however, the global research landscape remains insufficiently characterized. Influential contributors, collaboration patterns, and evolving research hotspots are not yet clearly defined. This study aimed to analyze the global research landscape and identify emerging trends in pulmonary rehabilitation for lung cancer patients through comprehensive bibliometric analysis. Methods Literature from 1997 to 2025, comprising 454 articles, was retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database. Bibliometric indicators were calculated using Microsoft Excel, while research networks and trends were visualized using VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and “bibliometrix” package of R. Results The field showed steady growth with an 8.94% annual growth rate, featuring 2,780 authors from 1,979 institutions across 44 countries/regions. China (87 articles, 19.16%) and the USA (79 articles, 17.40%) dominated publication output, while Belgium demonstrated exceptional citation impact (197.1 citations per publication). The University of Copenhagen (69 articles), Sichuan University (39 articles), and Université de Rouen Normandie (34 articles) were the most productive institutions. Jones LW emerged as the most influential author with the highest h-index (14). Lung Cancer (17 articles, h-index 15) and Supportive Care in Cancer (16 articles, h-index 12) were the leading journals. Keyword analysis revealed ten distinct research clusters, with recent trends emphasizing guideline development, depression management, and tailored approaches for specific lung cancer subtypes. Conclusions This bibliometric analysis reveals the evolutionary trajectory in pulmonary rehabilitation for lung cancer patients, highlighting the transition from theoretical exploration to practical clinical application.