OBJECTIVES:  Virtual Reality (VR) is being increasingly used in clinical psychology to support traditional therapeutic techniques. So far VR is mainly used in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and specific phobias. Recent research suggests that VR may be also a feasible tool to induce relaxation. However VR comprises several potential challenges (e.g. discomfort or motion sickness), which may not only be related to the content of the virtual environment (VE), but also to the degree of autonomic movement in the VE. The aim of the study was to assess the frequency of adverse events in a relaxing VE and factors associated with these. METHODS:  The study included three short virtual scenarios: (a) no movement of the avatar, (b) steady non-autonomic movement, and (c) autonomic movement. Adverse events (e.g. nausea, headache, dizziness) were assessed using a 4-point rating scale. As potential factors being associated with the occurrence of adverse events we assessed general vulnerability of nausea or dizziness in everyday life, and use of and attitudes towards modern technologies. RESULTS:  A sample of 30 healthy participants is being included in the study. Preliminary results show that acceptance of VR is high. While the majority of participants (mean age: 36 years, range 23-62 years; 63% male) reported no or very little adverse events in the first two scenarios, a large proportion (approximately 64%) reported feelings of nausea or dizziness in scenario 3. The final results from the ongoing study will be presented at the conference. CONCLUSIONS: Virtual Reality represents an innovative and promising extension of traditional psychological techniques. The preliminary results of the present study indicate that autonomous movement in the VE may result in motion sickness in a substantial number of participants. To prevent the occurrence of such adverse events we suggest to use non-autonomic movement.