OBJECTIVE: To probe into the effects of acupoint application combined with Wuwei Xiaodu decoction on immune function and Th17/Tregs balance in patients with rheumatoid arthritis（RA）. METHODS: Totally 158 patients with RA admitted into the hospital from Oct. 2019 to Oct. 2020 were extracted to be divided into the control group and the observation group via the completely random method

with 79 cases in each group. The control group was given Wuwei Xiaodu decoction

while the observation group received acupoint application combined with Wuwei Xiaodu decoction. Traditional Chinese medicine syndrome and joint function recovery of two groups were evaluated. The level of erythrocyte sedimentation rate（ESR） was detected by Westergren method

the levels of rheumatoid factor（RF）

interleukin（IL）-1β and IL-3 were detected by enzyme plate analyzer

and levels of lipid peroxide（LPO） and total antioxidant capacity（TAOC） were detected by immunotransmission turbidimetry

levels of T lymphocyte subsets and Th17/Tregs were detected by flow cytometry. The therapeutic effects of two groups were compared. RESULTS: After treatment

the traditional Chinese medicine syndrome score

joint swelling and pain score

activity score of the observation group were significantly lower than those of the control group

and the morning stiffness time was significantly shorter than that of the control group

with statistically significant differences（P

<

0.05）. After treatment

the levels of RF

ESR

LPO

TAOC

IL-1β and IL-3 in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group

the levels of CD8

+

and Th17/Tregs were significantly lower than those in the control group

while the levels of CD4

+

were significantly higher than those in the control group

the differences were statistically significant（P

<

0.05）. The total effective rate of the observation group was 92.41%（73/79）

significantly higher than 81.01%（64/79） of the control group

with statistically significant differences（P

<

0.05）. CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of acupoint application combined with Wuwei Xiaodu decoction in the treatment of patients with RA is significant

which can alleviate the traditional Chinese medicine syndrome of patients

promote the recovery of joint function

regulate the levels of ESR and RF

reduce the severity of inflammatory response and oxidative stress response

regulate the balance of Th17/Tregs and improve the immune function.