Objective To observe the heat sensitization and therapeutic effect of different duration moxa-stick warming moxibustion on Jianyu（LI 15） of hemiplegic patients with shoulder pain.Methods Fifty-four patients were randomized into 3 groups

long-duration moxibustion group

short-duration moxibustion group

and control group

with 18 in each.The control group was treated simply with acupuncture at Jianyu（LI 15）

and the long-and short-duration moxibustion groups were given 20min and 10min moxa-stick warming moxibustion respectively in addition to acupuncture.All patients were treated three times per week

totally 4 weeks.Before and after treatment

the severity and frequency of shoulder pain of all patients were evaluated respectively

and a correlative analysis on the changes in severity and frequency and heat sensitization was carried out.Results The scores of severity of shoulder pain of all 3 groups were significantly decreased after treatment（P<0.01）.The scores of frequency of shoulder pain

except those of the control group

were significantly decreased than before treatment（P<0.01）

and the effect of long-duration moxibustion group was superior to that of short-duration moxibustion group and control group（P<0.01 or P<0.05）.The continuation time of heat sensitization was positively correlated with the relief of severity and frequency of shoulder pain.Conclusion Heat sensitization moxibustion is an effective treatment for hemiplegic patients with shoulder pain

and moxa-stick warming moxibustion for 20 mins helps to improve therapeutic effect.