Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition characterized by early-onset difficulties in social communication, repetitive and stereotyped behaviors, and narrow interests [1]. According to the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network program, approximately 1 in 36 children are identified with ASD [2]. Despite extensive research, ASD remains a complex neurodevelopmental disorder with an unclear etiology and no definitive cure [3]. While children with ASD generally have a normal life expectancy, they often require lifelong care, particularly from their parents, who typically serve as primary caregivers [4,5]. The demands of caregiving for a child with ASD are significant and can negatively affect the psychological health of parents.

A growing body of evidence indicates that parents of children with ASD are at a higher risk for mental health issues compared to those raising children with other developmental disabilities [6-8]. Studies consistently show that caregiving for a child with ASD is associated with elevated stress levels, negative emotional states, and symptoms of depression and anxiety [8-10]. These psychological difficulties can deplete both parents' and children’s coping energies and impair their capacity for problem-solving [11]. The impact of ASD caregiving on parental psychological health has emerged as a critical public health concern, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions.

While considerable emphasis has been placed on providing high-quality treatment and care to children with ASD, less attention has been paid to the psychological health of their parents. Previous research has explored interventions aimed at improving outcomes for children with ASD, as well as for their parents [12,13]. However, many of these studies primarily focus on training parents to promote their child’s social skills, communication, and learning [14,15], with relatively few studies directly addressing parental health. Improving the psychological health of parents is critical, not only for their well-being but also for enhancing outcomes for their children. Therefore, there is a need for innovative interventions to support and train parents, especially considering the increasing role of digital technologies in health care delivery.

The rapid advancement of digital health technologies offers significant potential for addressing these gaps. During the COVID-19 pandemic, digital health interventions (DHIs) were widely adopted as a supplement to conventional health services [16,17]. Although the definitions of digital health vary, there is a consensus that DHIs, including computer-based therapies, mobile apps, and wearable devices, can enhance the accessibility, efficiency, and personalization of mental health care [18]. Evidence suggests that digital technologies can empower individuals and families affected by mental health issues, offering convenience, privacy, and opportunities for independent learning [19,20]. These features make DHIs particularly attractive for supporting parents of children with ASD [21,22].

To develop effective DHIs for parents of children with ASD, it is essential to understand which interventions have been developed, tested, and implemented. Several studies have examined the potential benefits of DHIs in reducing parenting stress and enhancing self-efficacy [23,24]. However, most studies have primarily focused on interventions targeting children with ASD, with relatively little attention given to the health of parents [25,26]. A recent review of interventions for parents of older children and adults with ASD highlighted the potential benefits of parent-focused interventions in improving psychological health [27], but it did not address the role of DHI.

This scoping review aims to fill this gap by examining the availability of DHIs designed to support the psychological health of parents and evaluating their effectiveness. It is part of a broader study focused on DHIs aimed at enhancing psychological health among parents of children with ASD. By identifying gaps in the current literature, this review will provide a foundation for the future development of DHIs specifically tailored to the needs of parents. No prior scoping or systematic reviews on this specific topic were identified, making this review an important contribution to the field.

This review will focus on answering 4 key research questions. First, which DHIs have been developed and implemented to support parents of children with ASD? Second, how are these interventions specifically designed to improve the psychological health of these parents? Third, what are the primary psychological health outcomes associated with these interventions? Fourth, what gaps, limitations, and opportunities exist for the future development of DHIs aimed at supporting the psychological health of parents of children with ASD?

The scoping review will be conducted in accordance with the methodology established by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). Articles will be screened and selected using the PRISMA-P (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols), and the results of the review will be presented according to the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) [28] (Multimedia Appendix 1). To report the functional classification of the final DHIs selected for review, we will use the Evidence Standards Framework for Digital Health Technologies developed by the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) [29]. The format of this protocol adheres to the author guidelines of the target publication and is informed by recommendations regarding items to be reported in the scoping review [30,31].

Researchers use the Population, Intervention, Comparator, and Outcomes (PICO) framework to identify the key concepts of a scoping review, develop appropriate search terms to describe the problem, and determine inclusion and exclusion criteria.

The search strategy was developed in collaboration with an expert medical librarian (JB) and 2 researchers (BJ and ZN). We will conduct our search across 6 bibliographic databases: (1) CINAHL, (2) Ovid EMBASE, (3) Ovid Global Health, (4) Ovid MEDLINE, (5) Ovid PsycINFO, and (6) Web of Science. These databases were selected based on their relevance to the research topic and their comprehensive coverage of the literature in this field. Each database will be searched using both controlled vocabulary and synonymous free-text terms to encompass the concepts of autism and digital health. The search strategy will be tailored to accommodate the syntax specific to each database. Inclusion will be limited to English-language studies, with no restrictions on publication date, from inception to June 25, 2024. Search results will be imported into EndNote (version 20, Clarivate), and duplicate entries will be removed. The final set of included articles will then be uploaded into Covidence systematic review software (Veritas Health Innovation) for screening. Detailed search histories can be found in Multimedia Appendix 2.

Following the search, all identified records will be uploaded into a data screening sheet created in Covidence (Veritas Health Information), where duplicates will be removed. Subsequently, 3 researchers (BJ, IMSB, and XP) will screen the titles and abstracts of all retrieved articles using Covidence, assessing the full texts for eligibility based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Discrepancies will be resolved through discussion with the senior author (ZN). The reasons for exclusion will be documented for articles eliminated following full-text screening. See Multimedia Appendix 3 for the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) flow diagram of the literature search and selection process.

A summary of the findings from the included studies will be presented in a table using a data extraction form (Multimedia Appendix 4). This form will capture essential information from the eligible studies, including the authors, publication year, study locations (country), study design, participants, interventions (including name, digital technologies, duration, etc), comparisons, psychological outcomes for parents, and key findings.

We will perform a descriptive analysis to aggregate and synthesize data segments that demonstrate similarities. Deductive coding will be used to categorize and analyze data in line with the identified outcomes from the included studies. Interrater reliability will be assessed to ensure the consistency and accuracy of the coding process. The data extracted from the included studies will be systematically tabulated and summarized narratively. Through narrative synthesis, the analysis organizes findings around recurring themes or clusters, such as types of digital interventions (eg, apps vs wearable devices) and common psychological outcomes (eg, stress reduction and resilience building). The descriptive synthesis also highlights areas with limited research or emerging needs, revealing gaps in interventions targeting specific psychological outcomes or identifying underrepresented study populations and settings.

There will be no involvement of humans, animals, patients, or the public in this review. This review will synthesize data from peer-reviewed studies that have been published. Thus, ethical approval is not required for this scoping review.