Predicting State Anxiety Level Change Using EEG Parameters: A Pilot Study in Two Museum Settings

Background: Museums are increasingly being recognized not only as cultural institutions but also as potential resources for enhancing psychological well-being. Prior research has shown that museum visits can reduce stress and anxiety, yet there is a pressing need for evidence-based interventions supported by neurophysiological data. While neuroscientific studies suggest a combined role of emotional and cognitive mechanisms in aesthetic experiences, less is known about the neural predictors of individual responsiveness to such interventions. Methods: This study was conducted in two Milan-based museums and included an initial profiling phase (sociodemographic information, trait anxiety, perceived stress, museum experience), followed by pre- and post-visit assessments of state anxiety and mood. Electrocortical activity was recorded via a portable brain-computer interface (BCI), focusing on the theta/beta ratio (TBR) as a marker of cortical-subcortical integration. Results: Museum visits were associated with significant improvements in mood (M = 1.17; p < 0.001) and reductions in state anxiety (M = -6.36; p < 0.001) in both arts and science museums. The baseline TBR predicted the magnitude of state anxiety change, alongside individual differences in trait anxiety and perceived stress. Conclusions: These findings support the idea that aesthetic experiences in museums engage both emotional and cognitive systems, and that resting state neurophysiological markers can help forecast individual responsiveness to well-being interventions. Such insights not only contribute to existing knowledge about the cognitive and emotional processes during aesthetic fruition, but could also guide future applications of personalized interventions in museum settings, further integrating cultural participation with mental health promotion.