How do emotions elicited in virtual reality affect our memory? A systematic review

Emotion has been shown to have a significant influence on memory. However, most of the investigations that led to this conclusion used non-virtual reality procedures. Virtual reality, as an emotional medium, is suitable for the study of the interplay between emotion and cognition as it has the potential to induce complex emotions. Employing VR could further enhance the intensity of the emotions elicited, which in turn might improve and expand the quality and the possibility of paradigms involving both emotions and cognition. This manuscript systematically reviewed studies investigating the relationship between memory and emotions using immersive technologies. PRISMA and PICO guidelines were applied to carry out the systematic search. The 22 studies reviewed show a complex panorama: research areas range from basic research, with studies regarding episodic, spatial, traumatic, autobiographical, and emotional memories, to applied research in the field of cinema, education, and rehabilitation. Navigation and interaction, embodiment, presence and immersion, semantic aspects, sounds or music, narration were the elements that characterized the VR experience across the studies and might work as a trigger for emotions. These findings can contribute to enhancing knowledge of either how VR works as an affective medium and how emotions elicited affect memory.