Effectiveness of an interactive brain health campaign on motivation for dementia risk reduction: a pretest–posttest evaluation

Whilst dementia is a global health concern, recent research indicates that behaviour changes can reduce its risk. This study aimed to explore the impact of an interactive visual art exhibition on adults' motivation for dementia risk reduction. Participants (N = 165) completed the Motivation to Change Behaviour for Dementia Risk Reduction 10-item scale before and after the exhibition. Paired-sample t-tests compared changes in total motivation levels, and positive and negative cues to action scores. Multilinear regression was employed to identify predictors of increased motivation post exhibit. Participants showed a significant overall increase in motivation for brain-healthy lifestyles immediately post-exhibit (t(62) = − 2.70, p = 0.009), particularly with positive cues to action. Longer time spent engaging in the exhibit was associated with increased motivational change (R² = 0.177, F(6,156) = 5.605, p < 0.001). Findings indicate that interactive visual art exhibitions hold significant potential as a means of enhancing adults' motivation for dementia risk reduction. By offering positive cues to action, these exhibitions could serve as an innovative component of public health strategies focused on promoting brain-healthy lifestyles. Our results contribute to the relatively limited body of research on the development of arts-based interventions that are both engaging and scalable, with the capacity to reach diverse populations. Further investigation into the long-term effects and underlying mechanisms is warranted to inform the design of more efficacious public health programs to support global efforts on mitigating the burden of dementia.