Objective To explore the application of limbs and fingers movement combined with moxibustion in patients with PICC catheterization. Methods A total of 346 PICC catheterized patients treated from August 2014 to July 2017 were randomly divided into control group (173 cases) and observation group (173 cases) according to random number table method. The control group was given local hot-wet compression at 3-4 cm of puncture point after 24 h of catheterization, and the observation group was given preventive moxibustion with the direction of the punctured vein at the same site in the control group, and then was given limbs and fingers movement. The levels of serum monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-8 (IL-8), hemorheological parameters [rate of high and low shear whole blood viscosity (RBV), rate of plasma specific viscosity (RPV), hematocrit (HCT)] and the incidence rates of mechanical phlebitis and venous thrombosis were compared between the two groups after intervention. Results The levels of MCP-1, TNF-α and IL-8 were (53.03±7.86), (85.93±10.72), (54.65±9.23) ng/L in the observation group, (60.27±8.45), (94.74±11.36), (63.08±10.07) ng/L in the control group, and there were significant differences (t =8.252, 7.419, 8.117, all P<0.05). The levels of high shear RBV, low shear RBV, RPV and HCT were (3.94±0.85) mPa·s, (6.55±1.22) mPa·s, (1.70±0.54) mPa·s and (43.71±4.82)% respectively in the observation group, (4.18±0.74) mPa·s, (6.97±1.25) mPa·s, (1.92±0.59) mPa·s and (45.13±4.65)% in the control group, and there were significant differences (t=2.789-3.618, P<0.05). The incidence rates of venous thrombosis and phlebitis were 1.16% (2/173) and 5.78% (10/173) respectively in the observation group, 5.78% (10/173) and 13.29% (23/173) in the control group, there were significant differences (χ2=4.230, 5.661, P<0.05). Conclusions Limbs and fingers movement combined with moxibustion can effectively improve the blood flow status, and reduce the occurrence of mechanical phlebitis and venous thrombosis in patients with PICC catheterization. Key words: PICC catheterization; Moxibustion; Mechanical phlebitis; Venous thrombosis; Limbs and fingers movement