The influence of traffic lights presentation of dementia risk screening information on older adults’ motivations for risk reduction in primary care settings

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed older adults' preferences for how to communicate dementia risk information to maximize motivation for behavior change.

METHOD: Eighty-nine community-dwelling older adults (aged 61 to 92 years, M=72.93, SD=6.36, 76% women) received dementia risk factor information in 2 formats: "traffic lights" (green=risk absent, amber=risk emerging, and red=risk present) or red/risk-only. Participants reported motivation to change risk-related behaviors, motivation to maintain good health behaviors, liking of the formats, categorical preference for traffic lights versus risk-only formats, reasons for preferences (open-ended), total applicable risks, and Motivation to Change Lifestyle and Health Behaviour for Dementia Risk Reduction.

RESULTS: Traffic lights presentation was more motivating (Z=4.16, P<0.001), more liked (Z=4.80, P<0.001), and preferred, NTraffic=71, NRed=14, χ2(1)=38.22, P<0.001, over risk-only. Self-efficacy and motivation to maintain good health behaviors were significant unique predictors of motivation to change risk-related behaviors following traffic lights presentation over age, sex, education, total applicable risks, perceived susceptibility, cues to action, and liking of the traffic lights presentation format. Themes indicated (1) traffic light presentation is informative and clear, and (2) green-light information increases self-efficacy.

CONCLUSIONS: Traffic light presentation increases patient motivation to reduce dementia risk. Green-light information increases self-efficacy. Maximizing motivation through information presentation can decrease dementia prevalence.