PURPOSE: This study was to verify the effect of self moxibustion on dysmenorrhea and ADL. METHOD: This study was undertaken from October 25th to December 31st, 2004. The subjects of this study consisted of 31 female college students attending two colleges. Of those subjects, 16 and 15 subjects were assigned to the experimental and the control groups respectively. Self moxibustion was performed daily for 7 days before the expected menstrual date, and subjects performed moxibustion on both palms. RESULT: After self moxibustion, the scores of dysmenorrhea and difficulty of ADL by GRS decreased significantly in the experimental group. There was a significant difference between both groups in the changes of the scores of dysmennorhea and difficulties of ADL after self moxibustion. CONCLUSION: Self moxibustion had a practical effect on reducing dysmenorrhea and difficulties of ADL. Accordingly, we can use self moxibustion as a useful nursing intervention in the community.