Research engagement and visibility in a specialized pediatric rehabilitation profession: A bibliometric review of Italian neuro and psychomotor therapists of developmental age, 1993-2025.
12 affiliations
- 1Italian Institute of Technology, U-VIP Unit for Visually Impaired People, Genoa, Italy.
- 2Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics and Systems Engineering, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
- 3ANUPI Research Working Group, Associazione Tecnico-Scientifica Terapisti della Neuro e Psicomotricità dell'Età Evolutiva Italiani - ETS, Milano, Italy.
- 4Università degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
- 5Department of Mental Health, ASL Napoli 3 Sud, Napoli, Italy.
- 6Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy.
- 7Presidenza, Associazione Tecnico-Scientifica Terapisti della Neuro e Psicomotricità dell'Età Evolutiva Italiani - ETS, Milano, Italy.
- 8Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Section of Hygiene, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
- 9School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano Bicocca, Monza, Italy.
- 10IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Milano, Italy.
- 11Pediatric Neurology Unit, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
- 12Centro Clinico Nemo, U.O.C. Neuropsichiatria Infantile, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
Abstract
Introduction
In Italy, the neuro and psychomotor therapist of developmental age (Terapista della Neuro e Psicomotricità dell'Età Evolutiva [TNPEE]) is a specialized healthcare rehabilitation professional focusing on neurological and developmental disorders in children from birth through age 18. As this profession exists exclusively in Italy and has no direct international counterpart, its scientific contribution is difficult to identify using conventional bibliographic searches. This bibliometric analysis aimed to map the identifiable TNPEE-authored scientific literature, describe publication patterns and thematic areas, and examine research output according to institutional and academic affiliation.Materials and methods
Major scientific databases and complementary author-, institution-, network-, and citation-based search strategies were used to identify publications involving verified TNPEEs through March 8, 2025. Bibliometric indicators described publication volume and temporal trends, authorship patterns, institutional affiliations, academic appointments, and primary research areas. Temporal trend analyses were restricted to complete calendar years 1993 to 2024.Results
The analysis identified 138 distinct TNPEE authors contributing to 507 publications published between 1993 and March 8, 2025. Temporal analyses of the 497 publications from complete calendar years 1993 to 2024 showed a marked increase in output over time. Research themes predominantly encompassed neurodevelopmental disorders, cerebral palsy, neuromuscular conditions, and early intervention strategies. Publication output was concentrated among the 6 TNPEEs holding university appointments, who contributed to 218 (43%) of identified publications.Discussion and conclusions
This study maps the visible scientific contribution of TNPEEs and highlights challenges in professional identification and bibliographic retrievability. Bibliometric data alone cannot establish the determinants of the observed concentration of research output; dedicated workforce, qualitative, and institutional studies are needed. Standardized professional identification may improve the bibliographic traceability of research contributions from nationally defined healthcare professions.
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BibTeX
@article{petri2026research,
title = {{Research engagement and visibility in a specialized pediatric rehabilitation profession: A bibliometric review of Italian neuro and psychomotor therapists of developmental age, 1993-2025.}},
author = {Stefania Petri and Sara Franchi and Andrea Bordin and Rita Abrunzo and Laura D'Arrigo and Pietro Ilio Gatti and Giulio Santiani and Angelo Maria Pezzullo and Fiorenza Broggi and Giulia Purpura and Giorgia Coratti and ANUPI TNPEE Research Working Group},
journal = {Medicine},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1097/md.0000000000051106},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42888539},
note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Research engagement and visibility in a specialized pediatric rehabilitation profession: A bibliometric review of Italian neuro and psychomotor therapists of developmental age, 1993-2025.
AU - Stefania Petri
AU - Sara Franchi
AU - Andrea Bordin
AU - Rita Abrunzo
AU - Laura D'Arrigo
AU - Pietro Ilio Gatti
AU - Giulio Santiani
AU - Angelo Maria Pezzullo
AU - Fiorenza Broggi
AU - Giulia Purpura
AU - Giorgia Coratti
AU - ANUPI TNPEE Research Working Group
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Medicine
DO - 10.1097/md.0000000000051106
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42888539
AB - Introduction In Italy, the neuro and psychomotor therapist of developmental age (Terapista della Neuro e Psicomotricità dell'Età Evolutiva [TNPEE]) is a specialized healthcare rehabilitation professional focusing on neurological and developmental disorders in children from birth through age 18. As this profession exists exclusively in Italy and has no direct international counterpart, its scientific contribution is difficult to identify using conventional bibliographic searches. This bibliometric analysis aimed to map the identifiable TNPEE-authored scientific literature, describe publication patterns and thematic areas, and examine research output according to institutional and academic affiliation.Materials and methods Major scientific databases and complementary author-, institution-, network-, and citation-based search strategies were used to identify publications involving verified TNPEEs through March 8, 2025. Bibliometric indicators described publication volume and temporal trends, authorship patterns, institutional affiliations, academic appointments, and primary research areas. Temporal trend analyses were restricted to complete calendar years 1993 to 2024.Results The analysis identified 138 distinct TNPEE authors contributing to 507 publications published between 1993 and March 8, 2025. Temporal analyses of the 497 publications from complete calendar years 1993 to 2024 showed a marked increase in output over time. Research themes predominantly encompassed neurodevelopmental disorders, cerebral palsy, neuromuscular conditions, and early intervention strategies. Publication output was concentrated among the 6 TNPEEs holding university appointments, who contributed to 218 (43%) of identified publications.Discussion and conclusions This study maps the visible scientific contribution of TNPEEs and highlights challenges in professional identification and bibliographic retrievability. Bibliometric data alone cannot establish the determinants of the observed concentration of research output; dedicated workforce, qualitative, and institutional studies are needed. Standardized professional identification may improve the bibliographic traceability of research contributions from nationally defined healthcare professions.
SN - 0304-5412
SN - 1536-5964
ER -