Virtual reality-based stress paradigms and early adversity: a scoping review of mechanisms and stress-response systems - Takeaways - MDSpire

Virtual reality-based stress paradigms and early adversity: a scoping review of mechanisms and stress-response systems

  • By

  • Mara S. Singeap-Tiron

  • Cristiana Amalia Onita

  • Daniela Viorelia Matei

  • Petru Romeo Dobrin

  • Ioan Gotca

  • Mihaela-Alina Radeanu

  • Diana I. Petrescu-Miron

  • Veronica Mocanu

  • July 17, 2026

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  • 1

    Virtual reality (VR) stress paradigms are used to induce stress in controlled settings, engaging various stress-response systems.

  • 2

    Five clusters of VR stress paradigms were identified: social-evaluative, cognitive/performance-based, threat/fear-based, analogue trauma, and complex ecologically valid.

  • 3

    Social-evaluative paradigms consistently elicit subjective and autonomic responses, while endocrine responses vary by paradigm type.

  • 4

    Threat-based paradigms produce strong autonomic and affective responses, whereas cognitive paradigms show limited endocrine activation.

  • 5

    The role of early adversity in moderating stress reactivity remains underexplored, despite evidence suggesting differential sensitivity to stressor types.

Original Source(s)

Virtual reality-based stress paradigms and early adversity: a scoping review of mechanisms and stress-response systems

  • by Mara S. Singeap-Tiron, Cristiana Amalia Onita, Daniela Viorelia Matei, Petru Romeo Dobrin, Ioan Gotca, Mihaela-Alina Radeanu, Diana I. Petrescu-Miron, Veronica Mocanu

  • July 17, 2026

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