From art to mental health: exploring the impact of a museum-based intervention on psychological well-being

Introduction: Engagement with arts and cultural activities has been increasingly recognized for its role in promoting mental health and well-being. This study evaluates the impact of a structured museum-based intervention on psychological well-being. Methods: A prospective hybrid type-1 non-randomized follow-up study with a pre-post design was conducted. Psychological distress, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and psychological well-being were assessed before and after a structured museum itinerary. Results: A total of 103 participants (82.5% female) completed pre- and post-intervention assessments. The intervention led to significant improvements across all psychological measures (p < 0.001), with the most notable effects observed in individuals aged 41-60. Additionally, between 89 and 98% of participants reported high acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of the itinerary. Discussion: The observed clinical improvements and high acceptability highlight the potential of museum-based interventions as an innovative and effective approach to mental health promotion. Future research should focus on scaling and replicating such interventions in diverse cultural and community settings, further integrating the arts into public health strategies.