Abstract: Objective To investigate the availability and safety of pulmonary rehabilitation for hospitalized patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods Seventy-two hospitalized patients with acute exacerbation of COPD were randomly included into test group (n=36) and control group (n=36) from June, 2015 to June, 2016. All the patients accepted management of anti-infection, phlegm elimination, antiasthma, etc., as well as the guidance of expectoration and health education; while the test group accepted pulmonary rehabilitation from the third day of admission to discharge. Their strength of hand grip, 1-minute sit-to-stand test (STST), the days of hospitalization, lung function parameters, modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scores and COPD Assessment Test (CAT) scores were measured before and after treatment. Results Compared with the control group, the strength of hand grip (t=2.985, P<0.01) and number of STST (t=2.024, P<0.05) increased, while the scores of CAT (t=3.222, P<0.01) and mMRC (t=2.212, P<0.05) decreased in the test group. The hospital stay seemed to be shorter in the test group than in the control group, but there was no significant difference (t=1.433, P>0.05). There was no significant difference in lung function after treatment in both groups (Z<1.031, P>0.05). Conclusion Pulmonary rehabilitation is effective on hospitalized patients with acute exacerbation of COPD in muscle strength, capability of activities, and relieve the symptoms.

Key words: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung function, activity, dyspnea, pulmonary rehabilitation