ObjectiveTo compare the clinical efficacies of acupuncture plus TDP lamp versus acupuncture plus moxibustion in treating rheumatoid arthritis.MethodOne hundred and fifty patients were randomly allocated to treatmentand control groups, 75 cases each. The treatment group received acupuncture plus moxibustion and the control group, acupuncture plus TDP radiation.Both groups were treated for two courses. The VAS scores and the clinical sign grades and scores were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.ResultThe VAS score and the clinical sign score improved in both groups after treatment compared with before (P<0.05). The total efficacy rate was 93.3% in the treatment group and 78.7% in the control group; there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). The effect was better in the treatment group than in the control group.ConclusionAcupuncture plus moxibustion is more effective than acupuncture plus TDP lamp in treating rheumatoid arthritis.