Abstract: Objective To observe the clinical curative effects between improved Zhao's thunder fire moxibustion therapy and self-made Chinese medicine package external application therapy in the treatment of elderly patients with temporomandibular joint disorders(TMD). Methods A total of 58 patients with TMD were randomly divided into the treatment group and the control group with 29 cases in each group. The treatment group was treated with sparrow-pecking moxibustion in the tender area and the Xiaguan acupoint while being locally massaged in the joint area with the medicinal stick. The control group was treated with the locally heated external application therapy using traditional Chinese medicine package. Results The pain VAS score of the treatment group was improved significantly compared with the control group. The mouth opening degree of the treatment group was significantly improved after treatment. The total effect of the treatment group was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05). Conclusions The thunder fire moxibustion therapy is significantly superior to the external application of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of elderly patients with temporomandibular joint disorders syndrome.

Key words: thunder fire moxibustion, temporomandibular joint disorders, aged