In a strong partnership between the John and Marcia Price College of Engineering and the College of Health, a new approach is showing promise for restoring mobility after stroke.

Although walking appears simple, it depends on complex neuromuscular coordination. After a stroke, when weakness affects one side of the body, the other side works harder to compensate, dramatically increasing the physical effort required for even basic movement. This can cause hemiparesis, a condition marked by impaired motor control, muscle weakness, and spasticity on one side of the body. Affecting roughly 80% of stroke survivors, hemiparesis contributes to reduced mobility, decreased independence, and significant declines in quality of life. It is also a leading cause of long-term disability in the United States. Individuals with hemiparesis often expend 60% more energy walking than people with a typical gait, leading to slower speeds, reduced endurance, greater pain, and an elevated risk of falls.

In a paper published in Nature Communications, the collaborative team demonstrated that a portable, lightweight hip exoskeleton can reduce the energy required to walk by nearly 20% in individuals with hemiparesis. Assistance levels are individualized for each patient, and an intelligent control system synchronizes with the walker’s natural rhythm—providing support precisely when the hip needs to lift or push off. Weighing just five and a half pounds, the device fits around the hips and attaches to the thighs. Battery-powered motors assist leg movement during each step, helping users achieve a more efficient gait pattern.

“One of the greatest challenges in stroke rehabilitation is improving long-term mobility and quality of life,” says Bo Foreman, PT, PhD, professor of physical therapy & athletic training in the College of Health and a collaborator on the study. “This work shows that assistive robotics can meaningfully address that challenge.”