The purpose of this review was to provide basic data to expand the scope of virtual reality-based therapy programs by analyzing the effects of physical activity therapy programs(PATPs) using virtual reality on psychological factors. This study selected 11 papers published in domestic and foreign journals from 2013 to 2022 using the RISS and PubMed databases. The main search terms were ‘virtual reality’, ‘care’, ‘therapy’, ‘healing’, ‘exercise’, and ‘physical activity’. The results of the systematic review are as follows. First, the nature-based virtual reality environment is effective in relieving stress, providing pleasure, and motivating participation in physical activities. Second, as a virtual reality-based PATPs, treadmill exercise, cycling, virtual reality game, mountain climbing, and musical instrument performance were used, and they were improved psychological factors. Third, the virtual reality-based PATPs increased the motivation to participate in physical activity, pleasure and vitality through physical activity, and reduced stress and depression in the adults, the elderly, and patients. Fourth, the virtual reality-based PATPs lacked scientific basis for the exercise frequency, exercise intensity, exercise type, and exercise time considering the subject. In conclusion, Virtual reality-based PATPs are expected to be useful as a physical activity participation strategy if various and appropriate virtual reality PATPs are provided considering the factors that cause psychological instability and physical characteristics by life cycle.