Background: Modifying lifestyle risk factors for dementia is a public health priority. Motivation for change is
integral to the modification of health-related risk behaviours. This study investigates the psychometric properties of
the previously validated tool entitled ‘Motivation to Change Lifestyle and Health Behaviours for Dementia Risk
Reduction Scale’ (MCLHB-DRR) for use in the UK.
Methods: A sample of 3,948 individuals aged 50 and over completed the 27-item MCLHB-DRR online. The
psychometric properties of the scale were explored via Exploratory Principal Axis Factoring (PAF) with Oblimin
rotation. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was used to confirm the factor structure using chi-square (χ2), the
goodness-of-fit index (GFI), the comparative fit index (CFI), the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA)
and Root Mean Square Residual (RMR) as fit indices to evaluate the model fit. Internal consistency (Cronbach α) was
measured for the final scale version.
Results: Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) resulted in a parsimonious 10-item, two-factor structure (5 items each,
factor loadings > 0.3) that explained 52.83% of total variance. Based on the Pattern Matrix, Factor 1 was labelled
“Positive Cues to Action” and Factor 2 was labelled “Negative Cues to Action”. After addressing some errors in
covariances, CFA showed a good fit where all fit indices were larger than 0.90 (GFI = 0.968, CFI = 0.938) and smaller
than 0.08 (RMSEA = 0.072, RMR = 0.041). The standardized coefficients of Factor 1 and Factor 2 ranged from 0.30 to
0.73 and were all statistically significant (p < 0.001). The final scale showed moderate to high reliability scores (Factor
1 α = 0.809; Factor 2 α = 0.701; Overall α = 0.785).
Conclusions: The new MOCHAD-10 (Motivation to Change Behaviour for Dementia Risk Reduction Scale) is a short,
reliable and robust two-factor, 10-item clinical tool for use in preventative health care and research to evaluate
motivation to change lifestyle for dementia risk reduction.Alzheimer’s Research UK (Midland) - Nottingham University