Exploring User Preferences and Acceptance of Digital Art Therapy Among Older Chinese Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) occurs between the stages of normal aging and dementia and has a high possibility of progressing to Alzheimer’s disease. Early and effective intervention or treatment is essential to prevent the progression of MCI to Alzheimer’s disease in older adults. Art therapy, as one of the non-pharmacological approaches to creative activities through the medium of art, improves mood, cognition, and performance. Simultaneously, the emergence of digital art therapy has expanded the potential of traditional art therapy by enabling remote participation and enhancing intense sensory stimulation. However, unaddressed questions need to be answered regarding how older adults perceive and adopt digital art therapy and how therapists and designers should develop digital art therapy to meet older adults’ needs and preferences. To address these problems, a qualitative study was conducted among older adults over 65 years of age. The participants were asked to report their needs and preferences for digital art therapy. Compared with other participants, participants with MCI showed a lower willingness to use digital art therapy and were more sensitive to technological barriers. However, this study revealed a list of relevant factors that can influence the acceptance of digital art therapy among older Chinese adults with MCI, including control beliefs, attitudinal beliefs, and gerontechnology anxiety. By addressing potential influential factors, the results can help facilitate older adults’ acceptance and adoption of digital art therapy and ultimately enhancing older Chinese adults’ well-being and quality of life.