ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of governor moxibustion for restless legs syndrome(RLS) of maintenance hemodialysis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-nine patients with RLS of maintenance hemodialysis were randomly divided into an observation group(34 cases) and a control group(35 cases). Conventional hemodialysis was applied in the two groups. Moxibustion was used at the governor vessel from Dazhui(GV 14) to Yaoshu(GV 2) separated by governor moxibustion powder and ginger mud in the observation group. Treatment was given once two weeks and continuous eight times were taken as a course. One course was adopted. Scores of international restless legs syndrome(IRLS) and Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI) were observed before and after treatment and comprehensive effects were evaluated in the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total scores of IRLS and PSQI were decreased after treatment in the two groups(all<0.01). And the above two scores after treatment of the observation group were apparently lower than those of the control group(both<0.05). The cured and effective rate of the observation group was 58.8%(20/34),and that of the control group was 22.9%(8/35),with statistical difference(<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Governor moxibustion can effectively improve the symptoms and sleep quality of RLS of maintenance hemodialysis.</p>