Dissemination of research in virtual reality-based rehabilitation: Journal publication profiles

The application of virtual reality (VR) to rehabilitation is a relatively young, interdisciplinary field where clinical implementation very rapidly follows scientific discovery and technological advancement. Recently, computational tools in the area of data and information science have provided researchers with an ability to examine trends in their field. These tools have been used in all areas of science, from the humanities and social sciences to the health and biological sciences. The objective of the current paper is to study patterns of academic publications in the VR-based rehabilitation literature over the past 22 years. We conclude that exploring the distribution of topics and journals in the field of VR-based rehabilitation reveals a science that is evolving from one with a predominantly technology development focus, to one that focuses on how technology can support rehabilitation principles and outcomes. This shift in purpose has been demonstrated by the journals selected for submissions from the scientific community as well as the modification in mission and focus of particular journals.