The primary aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that a proximal arm robot-assisted therapy (RAT) with the additional use of hand functional electrical stimulation (RAT+FES) during the subacute phase of rehabilitation could have higher benefit compared with intensive conventional therapy (ICT) alone in arm and hand function in patients with subacute stroke. Moreover, we explored the role of several factors on arm motor recovery after rehabilitation and at 6-month follow-up.