Objective To observe the influence of moxibustion at Shenque （神阙 CV 8） on senile symptoms and its machenism. Methods Sixty three patients were divided into moxibustion group and control group. Suspend moxibustion over CV 8 with moxa stick was used in moxibustion group for 30 min, the frequency was once two days and the course lasted for 2 months. No therapeutic measure was used in control group. The senile symptom score before and after treatment were evaluated, and the serum meletonin content before and after treatment was detected through radioimmunoassay. Results The senile symptom score after moxibustion decreased obviously than that before moxibustion （P〈0.001）, and the change was more obvious than that in control group （P〈0.01）. The effect of relieving symptoms such as lumbar debility and insomnia in moxibustion group was better than that in control goup （P〈0.05）. The total effect in moxibustion group was also better than that in control group （P〈0.05）. The serum meletonin content was increased obviously than that before moxibustion （P〈0.001）, and the content was higher than that in control group obviously （P〈0.05）. Conclusion Suspend moxibustion over CV 8 with moxa stick can improve senile symptoms, and this effect is related to the increase of the content of serum meletonin.
