Which of the following is a potential benefit of therapeutic electrical stimulation?

Therapeutic electrical stimulation has been shown to provide numerous benefits, and one of the most significant is increased muscle strength. This modality works by stimulating muscle contractions through electrical impulses, which can facilitate muscle re-education, improve neuromuscular function, and subsequently enhance strength. By effectively engaging muscle fibers, electrical stimulation helps to maintain or even increase muscle mass, particularly in individuals who may be unable to perform traditional strength training exercises due to injury or other limitations.

The other choices highlight various negative effects rather than benefits. For instance, immediate muscle fatigue is typically an undesirable effect that can occur during intense stimulation, and decreased range of motion would indicate a lack of flexibility or mobility rather than an improvement. Chronic pain exacerbation is contrary to the intended aims of therapeutic electrical stimulation, which is usually employed to alleviate pain rather than intensify it. Thus, increased muscle strength stands out as a positive and beneficial outcome of using therapeutic electrical stimulation.