The application of the diversified combined model of kangaroo care in neonatal care: a family-centered scoping review

This scoping review aimed to systematically map the application forms, core components, and effects of diversified combined models of Kangaroo Mother Care on neonatal and family outcomes, thereby providing evidence-based support for clinical practice. Following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews, relevant studies were retrieved from both English and Chinese databases, including PubMed, Embase, and CNKI, from database inception to August 2025. Data extraction and a descriptive synthesis were conducted for all studies that met the inclusion criteria. A total of 18 studies were included (10 in Chinese and 8 in English). The diversified combined models of Kangaroo Mother Care can be broadly categorized into five types: enhanced sensory stimulation, developmental support, nutritional and feeding support, psychological and social support, and medical collaboration. In practice, these models are integrated within a family-centered care framework but face barriers such as environmental noise and shortages of trained healthcare staff. Outcome measures indicate that the combined interventions improve physiological and clinical stability, promote neurodevelopment and physical growth, enhance feeding outcomes, and alleviate maternal anxiety. However, current evidence remains limited by a lack of large-scale, high-quality studies, as well as insufficient long-term neuropsychological follow-up and health economic evaluations, highlighting the need for context-specific implementation strategies. The diversified combined models of Kangaroo Mother Care reflect a family-centered care approach and demonstrate synergistic benefits in improving neonatal health outcomes and enhancing the family caregiving experience. Future research should focus on high-quality, multicenter studies with extended follow-up, alongside strengthened health economic evaluations, to support the standardized implementation of this model in clinical practice.