Thematic structure of clinically oriented prefrontal function assessment and intervention research: a keyword network analysis

The prefrontal cortex (PFC) has been extensively investigated in relation to higher-order cognition, emotional regulation, and behavioural control, particularly within clinically oriented studies addressing psychiatric symptoms, self-regulation, and intervention outcomes. Although a growing body of literature has examined prefrontal function assessment and intervention, the thematic organization and structural interconnections within this clinically focused literature have not been sufficiently clarified. Mapping these conceptual relationships may help identify dominant research concentrations and underrepresented areas within the retrieved literature.

A total of 1,301 peer-reviewed articles published between January 2014 and December 2024 were retrieved from Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase. After keyword extraction and standardization, the top 52 high-frequency terms were analyzed using NetMiner 4.0. Network indices including density, inclusiveness, and average path length were calculated, together with degree and betweenness centrality. Cohesive subgroup analysis was additionally performed to identify thematic clusters within the keyword network.

The keyword network demonstrated a density of 0.408, inclusiveness of 1.0, and an average distance of 1.621, indicating a highly connected structure without isolated nodes. Central hubs included Cognition, Depressive disorders, Randomized controlled trial, Cognitive behavioural therapy, and Psychotherapy, which emerged as the principal structural hubs, suggesting that the retrieved literature was strongly concentrated on standardized cognitive assessment and clinically applied intervention frameworks. Mobile health, E-health intervention, and Chronic illness group also showed substantial structural influence. Cohesive subgroup analysis identified seven differentiated thematic clusters spanning cognitive rehabilitation, emotional regulation, psychotherapy, digital self-management, mindfulness-based executive support, stress resilience, and neurocognitive motivation.

The retrieved literature analyzed in this study exhibited a strongly interconnected thematic structure centered on clinically oriented assessment and intervention domains. Because direct neuroimaging and neurophysiological modalities were comparatively less represented in the retrieved dataset, the present findings should be interpreted as a structural mapping of clinically weighted prefrontal function research rather than a comprehensive representation of the entire methodological landscape. Nevertheless, this network-based analysis provides a systematic overview of current thematic concentrations and offers a useful foundation for future comparative and longitudinal investigations.

Not applicable.