This footage was filmed and produced 4 March 2024.

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have made a groundbreaking advancement in stroke recovery with the development of a unique robotic hip exoskeleton. This technology is designed to improve walking function in stroke survivors, a population where more than 80% experience difficulty walking, impacting their daily lives and overall quality of life.

Published in IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, the study shows that the robotic hip exoskeleton has the potential to effectively train individuals to modify their walking asymmetry, a common issue following a stroke. This offers a promising avenue for stroke rehabilitation, providing new possibilities for more accessible and easily translatable therapies compared to current methods.

Inspired by split-belt treadmills, specialized machines that can reduce walking asymmetry in stroke patients, the robotic exoskeleton employs a similar approach without the limitations of treadmill-based training methods. By applying resistive and assistive forces around the hip joint, the exoskeleton mimics the effects of split-belt treadmill training in neurologically intact individuals.

With the robotic hip exoskeleton offering new possibilities for stroke recovery, the research team hopes to continue advancing their work to make gait rehabilitation more accessible and effective for those in need.