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Background Electrical stimulation has been employed as a safe and effective therapy for improving arm function after stroke. Contralaterally controlled functional electrical stimulation (CCFES) is a unique method that has progressed from application in small feasibility studies to implementation in several randomized controlled trials. However, no meta-analysis has been conducted to summarize its efficacy. Objective To summarize the effect size of CCFES through measures of upper extremity motor recovery compared with that of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). Methods The PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases were searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were selected and subjected to meta-analysis and risk of bias assessment. Results 6 RCTs were selected and 267 participants were included. The Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer assessment (UEFMA) was included in all studies, the Box and Blocks test (BBT) and active range of motion (AROM) were included in 3 and 4 studies, respectively. The modified Barthel Index (mBI) and Arm Motor Abilities Test (AMAT) were included in 2 and 3 studies, respectively. The CCFES group demonstrated greater improvement than the NMES did in UEFMA (SMD = .42, 95% CI = .07–.76), BBT (SMD = .48, 95% CI = .10–.86), AROM (SMD = .54, 95% CI = .23–.86), and mBI (SMD = .54, 95% CI = .12–.97). However, the results for AMAT did not differ significantly (SMD = .34, 95% CI = −.03–.72). Conclusion Contralaterally controlled functional electrical stimulation produced greater improvements in upper extremity hemiplegia in people with stroke than NMES did. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021245831

To investigate the effect of hypertonic dextrose injection on pain and disability in patients with chronic supraspinatus tendinosis. The secondary aim was to evaluate its effect on the tendon range of motion (ROM) and morphology.Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.Outpatient clinic.Individuals (N=57) with symptomatic chronic supraspinatus tendinosis.Participants were randomly administered ultrasound-guided injections of 20% hypertonic dextrose (study group, n=29) or 5% normal saline (control group, n=28).The primary outcome measure was visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain and Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) scores. Secondary outcomes included the ROM and ultrasound examination findings of the supraspinatus tendon at baseline and at 2, 6, and 12 weeks postintervention.The study group exhibited significant improvements in the VAS (mean difference [MD], -2.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], -2.7 to -1.4; P.001) and SPADI (MD, -11.6; 95% CI, -16.5 to -6.7; P.001) scores compared with baseline scores at week 2. However, the effect was not sustained to week 6. Flexion ROM increased at weeks 2 (MD, 14.1; 95% CI, 5.7-22.5; P.001) and 6 (MD, 8.9; 95% CI, 2.4-15.4; P=.003) compared with baseline. The thickness of the supraspinatus tendon improved at weeks 6 (MD, .50; 95% CI, .26-.74; P.001) and 12 (MD, .61; 95% CI, .37-.84; P.001) compared with baseline. The ratio of histograms also improved at weeks 6 (MD, .19; 95% CI, .06-.32; P=.002) and 12 (MD, .26; 95% CI, .10-.41; P.001) compared with baseline.Hypertonic dextrose injection could provide short-term pain and disability relief in patients with chronic supraspinatus tendinosis. Ultrasound imaging at week 6 revealed changed tendon morphology.