Overall, functional electrical stimulation in CP is described as:

• A. Enhancing walking by enabling foot lift during swing
• B. Reversing cerebral palsy
• C. Building muscle mass without functional gains
• D. Replacing physical therapy

Answer: (A)

Functional electrical stimulation helps walking by delivering timed electrical pulses to the muscles that lift the foot when needed during the swing phase. In cerebral palsy, weakness or poor control of the dorsiflexor muscles, especially the tibialis anterior, can cause foot drop and toe drag, making it hard to clear the foot from the ground. By stimulating these muscles at the correct moment as the leg moves forward, the foot dorsiflexes enough to clear the ground, improving step length, safety, and overall gait efficiency. This is a supportive, functional aid that works with rehabilitation to improve walking, not a cure for CP, not a way to build muscle mass without functional benefit, and not a replacement for physical therapy.