Functional electrical stimulation (FES) will become one of the useful reconstructive methods for the paralyzed upper extremity due to upper motor neuron lesion. As a basic study, the author analyzed the electromyogram of the grasp and the lateral pinch movements in three normal hands. On the basis of this electromyographic analysis, FES was applied for the hands of two tetraplegics and three hemiplegics using percutaneous wire electrodes. As a result, three types of holding patterns were obtained in the paralyzed hands by FES, namely, parallel extension grip, grasp and lateral pinch. Clinically, the author made a FES system for the tetraplegic patient, and utilized it for the activities of daily living. The patient could get hand opening, parallel extension grip, grasp and lateral pinch in his paralyzed hand by using this FES system, and he obtained a certain measure of independence of the activities of daily living such as eating, writing and so on.