Objective To observe the effect of Hot Compress Medic ine（Chinese med icines wrapped in cloth-bag and steamed for hot compress） on scleroderma.Metho ds Six-eight scleroderma patients were randomized into treatment group wit h 35 patients in it

and the control group with 33 patients in it.Both groups were administered asiaticoside tablets and vitamin E

the treatment group was ad ditionally given Hot Compress Medicine for application

30 min each time

2 times a day

while the control group was given heparin sodium ointment for applicati on

2 times a day.Both groups were treated for 3 months in succession.Before a nd after treatment

the scores of severity of skin sclerosis

joint pain

and jo int function of the two groups were compared

and therapeutic effect of TCM synd romes was evaluated.Results After treatment

the scores of severit y of skin sclerosis

joint pain

and joint function of the treatment group were improved significant（P<0.05）

but those of the control group were not significantly different（P>0.05）.The scores of s everity of skin sclerosis

joint pain

and joint function in the treatment group after treatment were significantly lower than those in the control group（P <0.0 5 or P<0.01）.The total effective rate of the TCM syndromes of the treatmen t group was 97.1% remarkably higher than 87.9% of the control group（P<0.01）.Conclusion Hot Co mpress Medicine is effective in significantly improving the severity of sclerode rma.