From Suicide to Resilience: The Role of Adaptive Sports in Mental Rehabilitation After Spinal Injury – A Case Study of an Indian Paralympian

Background Adaptive sports benefit individuals with disabilities physically and psychosocially, yet evidence on their long-term psychological impact in clinical populations is limited. Objective To assess psychological and functional progression over 36 months in a paraplegic para-archer with a history of major depression, institutionalization, and suicide attempts. Methods An n-of-1 observational study assessed the athlete at baseline, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 months using a five-point Likert questionnaire adapted from DASS-21 and MHQoL. Analyses included percentage change, Cohen’s d, and Percentage of Non-Overlapping Data (PND). Results Depression decreased by 98.9% (d > 1.18; PND = 1.00), anxiety by 51.2%, and stress by 27.9%, signaling strong emotional recovery. Self-image, future outlook, and daily functioning improved 100%, and overall well-being rose 77.9% (d = 1.23–1.26). Relationship quality increased 28.6% (d = 1.46), while independence, mood, and physical health each gained ~ 21.5% (d = 0.80). All domains remained stable at 36 months, with minimal affective fluctuations. Each variable achieved PND ≥ 0.80, indicating moderate to high intervention effectiveness. Conclusion Sustained engagement in adaptive sports led to emotional revitalization, psychosocial resilience, and enduring functional improvement in a trauma-affected individual with spinal cord injury, supporting sport-based interventions in comprehensive rehabilitation.