Objective To compare the effects of heat-sensitive moxibustion and ginger-partition moxibustion on refractory peripheral facial paralysis. Methods Fifty-five patients with refractory peripheral facial paralysis were randomized into heat-sensitive moxibustion group (N=28) and ginger-partition moxibustion group (N=27). For two cases dropped out during the treatment, a total of 25 cases were finally enrolled into the ginger-partition moxibustion group. Two groups received oral use of mecobalamin tablets and conventional acupuncture, and heat-sensitive moxibustion group was given heat-sensitive moxibustion and ginger-partition moxibustion group was given ginger-partition moxibustion additionally. The moxibustion was performed once a day and ten times constituted one course, the treatment covered 6 courses. The clinical effect of the two groups was evaluated by 40-score method, House-Brackmann facial neurological function evaluation standard, blink reflex ( BR) , electromyogram and electroneurography. Results ( 1) Symptoms integral was increased in both groups after treatment ( P<0.01) , and the scores of heat-sensitive moxibustion group were higher than those of ginger-partition moxibustion group ( P<0.01). ( 2) The markedly effective rate of heat-sensitive moxibustion group was 75.00% and that of ginger-partition moxibustion group was 44.00%, and there was statistically significant difference between them ( P<0.05). ( 3) The results of electrophysiological examination showed that the difference values of ipsilateral and contralateral BR R1, R2, R2’ in both groups after treatment were less than those before treatment ( P<0.01) , and the abnormal rate of electromyography for heat-sensitive moxibustion group was improved obviously after treatment ( P<0.01) . The amplitude of compound muscle action potentials ( CMAP) of orbicularis oculi/orbicularis oris at the affected side of both groups showed a decreasing trend, but the differences were insignificant between the two groups after treatment ( P>0.05). Conclusion The curative effect of heat-sensitive moxibustion for the treatment of refractory peripheral facial paralysis is better than that of ginger-partition moxibustion.