Objective To investigate the effect of Hufutongbian scraping therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis of cold-dampness obstruction syndrome. Methods Seventy patients with cold-dampness obstruction type rheumatoid arthritis were randomized into one of two groups. The control group (n=35) received routine treatment and nursing, while the observation group additionally received Hufutongbian scraping therapy. The effect was evaluated after 4 weeks of intervention. Results After intervention, the observation group had significantly lower pain score and TCM syndrome score, whereas higher activities of daily living score compared with the control group (all P<0.05). Conclusion Hufutongbian scraping therapy can effectively reduce pain and TCM syndrome in patients with cold-dampness obstruction type rheumatoid arthritis and improve their ability of activities of daily living.