Front Psychol. 2026 Aug 14;17:1841408. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1841408. eCollection 2026.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To explore the improvement effect of lower limb exoskeleton robot intervention on the athletic performance of disabled athletes and the underlying psychological mechanisms, so as to provide empirical evidence and theoretical support for clinical application.
METHODS: Thirty disabled athletes with lower limb motor dysfunction were selected for a 12-week randomized controlled trial. Data before and after intervention were collected through athletic performance tests, psychological scale assessments and semi-structured interviews. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, and qualitative data were combined to explore the action pathways of psychological mechanisms.
RESULTS: After intervention, the athletic performance indicators of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group; the scores of self-efficacy and intrinsic sports motivation in the experimental group were significantly increased, while the scores of anxiety and depression were significantly decreased, and there was a significant correlation between psychological indicators and athletic performance indicators. Qualitative analysis showed that lower limb exoskeleton robots indirectly promoted athletic performance through four psychological mechanisms: reducing sports frustration, enhancing body control, improving self-identity, and relieving psychological pressure.
CONCLUSION: Lower limb exoskeleton robots can improve the athletic performance of disabled athletes by improving their psychological state.
PMID:42666311 | PMC:PMC13521860 | DOI:10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1841408
