ProxiStep is a soft wearable assistive device for individuals with multiple sclerosis and similar neurological conditions who experience asymmetric lower-body proximal muscle weakness, especially around the hip, pelvis, and upper thigh. This weakness makes it difficult to lift and advance the affected leg during walking, often causing toe drag, slower gait, compensatory movement, poor balance, fatigue, and reduced independence. In MS, this weakness is often uneven, with one side of the body much weaker than the other.

Lower-body proximal weakness also creates a cycle of decline. When each step takes more effort, walking becomes more tiring. As fatigue increases, people may avoid physical activity, longer walks, and social events. Reduced activity can then lead to further muscle loss, deconditioning, worsening mobility, and lower confidence.

Most existing mobility aids do not directly address this problem. Ankle-foot orthoses mainly support foot drop, canes and walkers provide balance support, and powered exoskeletons can be bulky, expensive, and impractical for everyday use. ProxiStep focuses on the proximal lower body by assisting hip flexion and step initiation in a discreet, garment-integrated format.

The device uses a passive elastic mechanism built into a shorts-like wearable. Instead of electronics, it uses the body’s natural walking motion. As the stronger side moves through the gait cycle, hip rotation and translation stretch an adjustable diagonal elastic band from the waist to the thigh. The stored energy is then redirected to assist the weaker leg during step initiation and swing phase. A secondary vertical elastic band and waistband system help distribute force, improve stability, and reduce unwanted inward pull.

The final design includes an inner liner, an adjustable waistband connected to the elastic assistive bands, a thigh strap, and the external shell with anti-slip elements to maintain alignment. By avoiding rigid frames and electronic components, ProxiStep reduces weight, cost, maintenance, and charging requirements. The goal is for it to feel closer to athletic wear than a traditional medical brace.

ProxiStep was developed through human-centered research, iterative prototyping, and collaboration with individuals living with MS, neurologists, physical therapists, and other medical professionals. In target-user testing, the updated prototype improved perceived hip engagement, assisted leg lift, and supported step completion. The user described the material as "soft and breathable" and said the assistance felt "well timed without disrupting natural walking."

Healthy-participant testing used an ankle weight to simulate lower-body weakness. Subjective feedback was promising, with participants rating perceived assistance, direction of assistance, and timing around 8/10, and several said lifting the weighted leg felt easier.

ProxiStep also won the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers Design for Rehabilitation Competition, further validating its relevance to MS-focused rehabilitative design.

These results suggest that ProxiStep can reduce the effort required to take a step. With further testing, it may prove to help users walk longer, reduce fatigue, stay active, preserve muscle strength, and participate more confidently in daily and social life.