Objective To observe the effect of cotton-sheet moxibustion therapy and fire-needle therapy on herpes zoster

and to compare the therapeutic difference of the two methods.Methods Sixty patients were randomized into the cotton-sheet moxibustion group and fire-needle group with 30 in each. After surrounding acupuncture and electro-acupuncture

two groups were applied cotton-sheet moxibustion and fire-needle therapy respectively. The treatment lasted for 10 days in succession. The stopped development of blisters

scabbing and removing of scabs

degree of pain relief

time of pain lasting

beginning time of pain relief were observed and the effect was comprehensively evaluated.Results The total effective rate in the cotton-sheet moxibustion group and fire-needle group was 93.3% and 90.0% respectively

without significant difference（P>0.05）. There was a significant difference in the beginning time of pain relief between the two groups （P<0.05）

but there was no significant difference in the stopped development of blisters

scabbing and removing of scabs

degree of pain relief

and time of pain lasting between the two groups （P>0.05）.Conclusion Both cotton-sheet moxibustion and fire-needle therapy have good effect on herpes zoster. The former is superior to the latter in pain relief.