Background Virtual reality (VR) research probes stress environments that are infeasible to
create in the real world. However, because research simulations are applied to narrow
populations, it remains unclear if VR simulations can stimulate a broadly applicable stress-
response. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted on studies using VR
stress tasks and biomarkers. Methods Included papers (N= 52) measured cortisol, heart rate
(HR), galvanic skin response (GSR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure …

Background Virtual reality (VR) research probes stress environments impossible to create in
the real world. To evaluate the magnitude to which VR stress tasks trigger a physiological
stress response, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies using VR
stress tasks that also measure stress biomarkers. Methods Included papers (n= 40)
measured cortisol, heart rate (HR), galvanic skin response (GSR), systolic blood pressure
(SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), parasympathetic …