摘要Objective: To summarize the clinical research of improvement of pain and joint function of knee osteoarthritis treated with thunder-fire moxibustion in the last five years, in order to provide more objective and scientific theoretical basis for the clinical use of thunder-fire moxibustion in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Methods: By using "thunder-fire moxibustion" and "knee osteoarthritis" as keywords, the clinical literature on the treatment of knee osteoarthritis mainly by thunder-fire moxibustion in the past 5 years in PubMed, CNKI, WF and VIP were analyzed. Results: Thunderfire moxibustion and its compound therapy, including internal use of traditional Chinese medicine, external use of traditional Chinese medicine, drug injection, physical therapy, acupuncture, heat sensitive moxibustion, pricking collaterals, acupoint application and ozone, could relieve pain, improve joint function, improve joint activity, improve patients daily life ability and have less adverse reactions. Conclusion: Thunder-fire moxibustion was a safe, non-invasive and effective treatment for knee osteoarthritis. However, further research is necessary due to the non-rigidity of the current clinical trial design.