Objective To examine the clinical effect of heat sensitive moxibustion in treating simple obesity with spleen-kidney deficiency type. Methods Ninety simple obesity patients with spleen-kidney deficiency type were randomized into a acupuncture group

a heat sensitive moxibustion group and a combination group

with 30 cases in each group. The heat sensitive moxibustion group was given moxibustion by self-made heat sensitive moxa stick. Heat sensitization acupoints were sought at patients’ lumbosacral portion and hypogastrium. Two or three heat sensitization acupoints were selected each time. Patients were treated for 5 times each week

each time for 45 min. In the acupuncture group

acupoints of Zhongwan（ RN12）

Shuifen（ RN9）

Qihai（ RN6）

Guanyuan（ RN4）

Mingmen（ DU4）

Yaoyangguan（ DU3）

bilateral Tianshu（ ST25）

Daheng（ SP15）

Daimai（ GB26）

Pishu（ BL20）

Weishu（ 21） and Shuidao（ ST28） were selected. Seven to ten acupoints were selected each time. Even reinforcingreducing method was used. Needle was retained for 30 min. During needle retention

manipulating the needles once every 10 min. Patients were treated by 5 times each week. The combination group was given both acupuncture and heat sensitive moxibustion. The methods were the same as above. One month was a course. Each group was treated for 3 courses. Patients’ body weight

waistline and height were recorded before and after treatment. Body mass index（ BMI）

body fat percent and waist to height ratio were calculated before and after treatment. The clinical effect was evaluated. Results After treatment

body weight

BMI

body fat percent and waist to height ratio in each group decreased（ P < 0. 05）. After treatment

body weight

BMI

body fat percent and waist to height ratio in the combination group was lower than those in the acupuncture group and the heat sensitive moxibustion group（ P < 0. 05）; while the difference between the acupuncture group and the heat sensitive moxibustion group was not significant（ P >0. 05）. The total effective rate in the acupuncture group was 73. 3%

with 76. 7% in the heat sensitive moxibustion group

and 86. 7% in the combination group. The clinical effect in the combination group was superior to that in the acupuncture group and in the heat sensitive moxibustion group. Conclusion Heat sensitive moxibustion therapy might be effective in treating simple obesity with spleen-kidney deficiency type. Moreover

the clinical effect seemed better if combined with acupuncture.