Overall, our group proposes a combination of FES, BWSTT, and mental practice as a novel treatment strategy to optimize recovery from foot drop secondary to stroke. Mental practice will 'prime' the neural networks used during physical practice, facilitating the neural reorganization occuring from FES and BWSTT. FES and BWSTT are effective in neural organization as FES provides the brain with afference feedback from the hemiparetic muscle and BWSTT allows for higher intensities to be achieved. Thus, neural reorganization will occur within a shorter duration of time,  reestablishing the connection betwen the executvie and effector, allowing for faster recovery from foot drop. 

Despite the proposed benefits of this treatment, some limitations exist. Firstly, access to BWS treadmills and FES is expensive and both are not available in all hospital or rehab centers. Secondly, this protocol must be performed in a clinic under the supervision of a kinesiologist. Thirdly, this intervention will only benefits patients who meet the strict FES inclusion criteria and who are able to effectively use mental practice. 

Since foot drop affects 20% of all stroke survivors, it would be advantageous to create a research protocol that is less costly and that individuals can perform independetly