Abstract

Pensar Enfermagem / v.30 n.Sup / Jan-Dec 2026 / DOI: 10.71861/pensarenf.v30iSup.516 / e00516

Culturally Sensitive Digital Health Interventions for Informal

Caregivers: A Scoping Review Protocol

Sandy Severino1*, Paulo Santos Costa2, Maria Adriana Henriques3, Riitta Suhonen4, Andreia Costa5

1 Nursing Research Innovation and Development Centre of Lisbon (CIDNUR), Nursing School, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal; PhD

student at Universidade de Lisboa, Nursing School, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal; Nursing Department, Escola Superior de Saúde

Atlântica, Oeiras, Portugal; orcid.org/0000-0002-5162-2980

2 Nursing Research Innovation and Development Centre of Lisbon (CIDNUR), Nursing School, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal; Instituto

de Saúde Ambiental (ISAMB), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; Laboratório para a Sustentabilidade do Uso da

Terra e dos Serviços dos Ecossistemas—TERRA, Lisboa, Portugal. orcid.org/0000-0003-0761-6548

3 Nursing Research Innovation and Development Centre of Lisbon (CIDNUR), Nursing School, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal; Instituto

de Saúde Ambiental (ISAMB), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; Laboratório para a Sustentabilidade do Uso da

Terra e dos Serviços dos Ecossistemas—TERRA, Lisboa, Portugal. orcid.org/0000-0003-0288-6653

4Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, Turku, Finland; The Wellbeing Services County of Southwest Finland, Turku University

Hospital, Turku, Finland.

5 Nursing Research Innovation and Development Centre of Lisbon (CIDNUR), Nursing School, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal; Instituto

de Saúde Ambiental (ISAMB), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; Laboratório para a Sustentabilidade do Uso da

Terra e dos Serviços dos Ecossistemas—TERRA, Lisboa, Portugal. orcid.org/0000-0002-2727-4402

* Corresponding author: sseverino@campus.esel.pt

Abstract

Introduction

The global demographic shift toward an aging population, particularly evident in Europe, has heightened the

demand for informal caregivers who support older adults with chronic illnesses and dependencies. Amid

increasing cultural diversity due to globalization and migration, there is a critical need for health interventions

that are both digitally delivered and culturally sensitive, addressing the unique challenges faced by caregivers

from diverse backgrounds.

Objective

This scoping review aims to identify and synthesize evidence on culturally sensitive digital health interventions

that enhance the health and well-being of informal caregivers, with a focus on interventions tailored to the

cultural and linguistic diversity arising from contemporary demographic trends.

Methods

The review will follow the Cochrane and PRISMA guidelines, employing a comprehensive search strategy

across databases including CINAHL, MEDLINE, Nursing & Allied Health Collection, Cochrane Library,

MedicLatina, WoS Core Collection, and Scopus. Eligible studies will involve informal caregivers (aged 18+)

providing unpaid care to older adults (65+), with interventions delivered via digital platforms (e.g., mobile

applications, telehealth, online resources) and explicitly adapted for cultural relevance. Both randomized and

non-randomized studies published in English or Portuguese between 2014 and 2025 will be included. Data

extraction and quality assessment will be conducted independently by three reviewers, with methodological

quality evaluated using ROBVIS and ROBINS-I tools. Quantitative data from randomized controlled trials will

be synthesized through meta-analysis, while other study designs will be summarized narratively.

Results

The review will map the landscape of culturally sensitive digital interventions, highlighting their impact on

caregiver outcomes such as psychological well-being, self-efficacy, quality of life, and caregiving burden. It will

also identify facilitators and barriers to the implementation of culturally responsive digital care.

Conclusion

By mapping evidence on culturally sensitive digital health interventions, this review will inform the development

of tailored support strategies for informal caregivers and guide health professionals and policymakers in

designing inclusive, effective interventions that address the needs of increasingly diverse populations.