Abstract. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of VR Stress Inoculation Training (SIT) for 4 soldiers preparing for their first mission in Afghanistan (ISAF) and to assess if their temperamental structure was related to successful training.

Method. For 5 days, 4 soldiers took part in 10 SIT sessions, in accordance with the Virtual Reality Medical Center, San Diego methodology (Training of Physiological Control Exposure to Virtual Stressor while Maintaining Physiological Control). The initial and final arousal/relaxation in response to VR exposition were assessed using Heart Rate Variability: Very Low Frequency (VLF) and Low Frequency (LF) Ratio as an indicator of relaxation/arousal. The temperament traits and structure were assessed using the Formal Characteristics of Behavior – Temperament Inventory (FCB-TI).

Results. The analysis of VLF and LF Ratio graphs showed that 3 soldiers succeeded in reducing their arousal during final session. Two of them achieved better results in relaxation during final exposition, when compared to the initial session. Three of them could effectively reduce the arousal after the exposition as the effect of training. We found their temperament structure more harmonized than the soldier's who has achieved weaker results in training.

Conclusions. Due to the preliminary nature of our findings, replication is necessary on a larger group.