To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of the external therapy by heat detoxification and blood acceleration in treating active RA.Methods:In this double-blinded parallel controlled clinical trail,120 patients with active RA were randomly divided into two groups,with 60 cases in each.The intervention of the treatment group was sticking Xiaoyanzhitong Paste on one suffered joint one piece a day.The Patients in control group received Placebo.Clinical and laboratory parameters were observed and tested in two groups before and after the two-week treatment course.Results:The total efficiency rate of the treatment group (60.4%) was significantly better than that of the control group (20.0%) (P<0.01).Comparison of the total score of joint symptoms and VAS between two groups showed the same result (P<0.01).ESR in the treatment group decreased obviously,but no significant difference was detected between the two groups.The incidence of adverse events was similar between the two groups (P>0.05).Conclusion:The study proves that compared with placebo,Xiaoyanzhitong Paste is a better anti-inflammatory analgesic for patients with active RA.Main symptoms are significantly improved,while no obvious adverse events are seen in the study.External therapy by heat detoxification and blood acceleration may be a safe and effective treatment for active RA.