To search for an effective therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Fifty-six cases of RA were randomly divided into a spreading moxibustion group of 31 cases and an acupuncture group of 25 cases. The spreading moxibustion group were treated by moxibustion on the Governor Vessel, from Dazhui (GV 14) to Yaoshu (GV 2), and bilateral corresponding Jiaji (EX-B 2), with drug powder composed of Qianghuo (Notoperygium root), Duhuo (Pubescent angelica root), Niuxi (Achyranthes root), etc. and fresh mashed ginger were spread at the points; and the acupuncture group were treated by simple acupuncture at Dazhu (GV 14) and Shenzhu (GV 12), etc. They were treated for 50 days.
The effective rate was 100.0% in the spreading moxibustion group and 84.0% in the acupuncture group with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05).
Spreading moxibustion has an significant therapeutic effect on rheumatoid arthritis.