PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of hand moxibustion for reduction of pain during menstruation. METHOD: Fifteen women were selected as subjects and data collection was conducted from September to December 2003. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Digital Infrared Thermotraphic Image (DITI) were used to measure the degree of pain and body heat. RESULT: The results showed that there was a significant reduction of pain during menstruation when hand moxibustion was performed. Also, there were significant differences in the change of body heat. These were left hands (Z=-2.805, p=.005), right hands (Z=-2.805, p=.005) and lower abdomen (Z=-2.803, p=.005). CONCLUSION: It was found that hand moxibustion decreased pain during menstruation and increased body heat. Therefore, hand moxibustion may be a good method for intervention to decrease pain during menstruation.