Cultural and Behavioural Perspectives on Traditional Medicine Use in Cardiovascular Health

Abstract

Background:  The growing burden of cardiovascular diseases, alongside increased interest in complementary and integrative approaches, has stimulated a substantial body of research exploring cultural and behavioural determinants of traditional medicine ™ use. Significance: Understanding the global research landscape on TM use in cardiovascular health is essential for identifying knowledge gaps, guiding policy development, and integrating culturally sensitive healthcare strategies. Bibliometric analysis offers a systematic approach to evaluate publication trends, research productivity, and thematic evolution in this field. Aim: This study aims to investigate the bibliometric characteristics and evolving research patterns on cultural and behavioural perspectives of traditional medicine use in cardiovascular health. Objectives: To identify publication and citation trends from 2016 to 2026; to determine the most productive countries, journals, and funding agencies; and to establish key research themes and keyword networks related to TM use in cardiovascular contexts. Methods: A bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Scopus database, retrieving 689 documents published between 2016 and 2026. Data were analysed using ScientoPy (v2.1.3) for publication and country trends, Scopus Analyzer for journal and funding insights, and VOSviewer (v1.6.20) for keyword co-occurrence mapping. Results: The results indicate a fluctuating yet overall increasing publication trend, peaking in 2025 (98 publications), while citation counts were highest in 2019 (4060) and 2024 (3718). The United States (17.85%) and China (16.98%) emerged as leading contributors, supported by major funding bodies such as the National Natural Science Foundation of China (7.84%) and the National Institutes of Health (5.08%). Prominent journals included Journal of Ethnopharmacology, BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies and BMJ Open. Keyword analysis revealed that behavioural and cultural constructs form a central research cluster, with high occurrences of “attitude” (14), “knowledge” (13), “medication adherence” (13), indicating strong emphasis on patient perceptions and decision-making processes. These are closely linked with health outcomes such as “hypertension” (74), “cardiovascular disease” (17), and “diabetes” (16). The clustering pattern demonstrates an intersection between cultural beliefs, behavioural responses, and chronic disease management. Limitations: The study is limited to the Scopus database and may exclude relevant publications indexed from other sources. Implications: The findings underscore the importance of integrating cultural competence and behavioural insights into cardiovascular healthcare strategies. Emphasizing patient attitudes, belief systems, and health literacy can enhance adherence and optimize the safe integration of traditional medicine within modern clinical practice.