Objective To conduct metrological study on clinical literature on acupuncture in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis（RA） at home in recent five years, providing reference basis and train of thought for clinical scientific research. Methods CNKI was retrieved based on the following search words： acupuncture and moxibustion, acupuncture, electroacupuncture, filiform needle, hand acupuncture, body acupuncture, and rheumatoid arthritis. The general information, diagnostic criteria, treatment principles, treatment methods, amount of stimulation, reinforcing/reducing methods, and efficacy criteria were analyzed. Results Fifty papers were obtained after strict screening, and most clinical reports were randomized controlled trials; there were differences among the diagnostic criteria, treatment principles and efficacy criteria in different reports; there were few literature on acupuncture in treatment of RA simply, most of the literature were about acupuncture combining other therapies. Conclusion The acupoint selection of acupuncture in treatment of RA should be studied further.
