Evaluating a Novel Virtual Reality Stress Induction Against a Standardised Laboratory-Based Paradigm.

To observe and quantify authentic stress responses in experimental contexts, we need techniques that are under tight experimental control as well as convenient, replicable, ethical and flexible. While much progress has been made using traditional laboratory-based methods of stress induction, we suggest that there is great potential in applying virtual reality (VR) since it enables a diverse range of stressors to be consistently delivered in the form of rich and immersive experiences. To validate these VR stressors, however, we must assess their psychophysiological impact and compare them to established lab-based paradigms. In the current study, we recorded the subjective responses to two virtual reality stressors (“Spiders” and “Horror”). Using a repeated measures design, levels of VR-induced stress were compared to a speeded arithmetic task with negative evaluative feedback (a modified version of the Montreal Imaging Stress Task (MIST)) in healthy participants. For a subset of participants, basic physiological data (mean heart rate (HR) and respiratory frequency) are available. Both MIST and VR produced significant increases in subjective ratings of stress, desire for avoidance, negative affect, and perceived threat, as well as in respiratory frequency. Sizes of effect were comparable across the stressors, apart from negative affect and perceived threat, which were greater for the MIST. Overall, VR allows effective stress induction in healthy participants. Moreover, it was associated with a number of advantages, including convenience, and a lack of need for participant deception. These findings support the use of VR for inducing and exploring patterns of stress responses in humans.