A Visualization Analysis of the Principle-Method-Prescription-Medicine for Warming Yang and Resolving Depression in Treating Depression Based on CiteSpace and VOSviewer

Corresponding author: GONG Zihan, 1217253647@qq.com

DOI: 10.12201/bmr.202603.00004

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  Abstract: Objective This study analyzes the literature from the past two decades in China on the application of Warming Yang and Resolving Depression therapy—encompassing the Principle-Method-Prescription-Medicine? system—in treating depression. The aim is to understand the research progress and explore future development trends in this field. Methods This study retrieved Chinese literature published between January 2001 and November 2025 from the CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP databases, focusing on the treatment of depression with the Principle-Method-Prescription-Medicine system of Warming Yang and Resolving Depression. CiteSpace and VOSviewer software were employed to perform a visual network analysis of the publication years, authors, and keywords within the literature. Results A total of 318 Chinese publications meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were retrieved, showing an overall gradual increase in annual publication volume. The core authors have formed two relatively large research groups alongside multiple independent investigators, with collaborations primarily occurring within these groups. Substantial research has been conducted in this field on aetiology and pathogenesis, clinical diagnosis and treatment, experimental studies, and principles derived from clinical experience. Anti-depression therapy emerged as one of the earliest research foci and has remained the most persistent theme. Recently, the research focus has shifted toward treatment strategies based on the theory of the Five Zang Organs and the differentiation of deficiency and excess.Conclusion Through visual analysis, this article clearly delineates the research landscape, evolutionary trajectory, and current focus on the application of the Principle-Method-Prescription-Medicine system for Warming Yang and Resolving Depression in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for depression treatment over the past two decades. It further discusses existing research limitations and potential future directions, offering a valuable reference for subsequent studies in this field.

  Key words: Depression; Warming Yang and Resolving Depression; Principle-Method-Prescription-Medicine; CiteSpace; VOSviewer

  Submit time: 4 March 2026

  Copyright: The copyright holder for this preprint is the author/funder, who has granted biomedRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity.
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