Abstract: Objective To observe the effects of functional electric stimulation (FES) on shoulder subluxation and motor function recovery of the upper extremities of patients with hemiplegia resulting from stroke. Methods Forty-eight hemiplegic patients were randomly divided into two groups for treatment with FES and shoulder pads, respectively. The recovery of the patient’s shoulder subluxation and movement function of upper extremities were evaluated 6 weeks after treatment and the effects of two therapies were compared. Results The shoulder subluxation and movement function of the upper extremities were improved after treatment with both therapies (P<0.01), and FES showed better effect (P<0.01). Conclusions FES can improve shoulder subluxation and motor function of the upper extremities affected by hemiplegia resulting from stroke.