Objective To apply short message service (SMS) for pulmonary rehabilitation in residence. Methods A total of 102 old patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in stable situation were equally divided into three groups randomly. They all accepted a two-week lesson of exercise project, and then took in the project for 22 weeks. Meanwhile, group A phoned to their experts once a week, group B was phoned by their experts once a week, and group C accepted SMS once a day and sent back to the experts. They were investigated with Exercise Self Regulatory Efficacy Scale (Ex-SERS), modified British Medical Research Council Scale (mMRC) and COPD Assessment Test (CAT) before and after intervention. Results The score of Ex-SERS was the most in group C (F=179.53, P<0.001), with the interaction of time (F=387.09, P<0.001). While the scores of mMRC (F=8.754, P<0.001) and CAT (F=11.32, P<0.001) were the least in group C. Conclusion Application of SMS in the integrated management for pulmonary rehabilitation in residence may improve the self regulatory efficacy of exercise, release the dyspnea and the influence on living in patients with COPD.