Objective To evaluate the effect of Tai Chi combined with respiratory function training and western medicine on stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease（ COPD）. Methods Totally 72 stable COPD patients were randomized into Tai Chi group

respiratory training group

Tai Chi and respiratory training group and western medicine control group

with 18 in each. All patients were given oxygen therapy

bronchodilator

glucocorticoid

expectorant and other basic symptomatic treatment according to disease conditions. Patients in Tai Chi group practiced24-style Tai Chi twice a day

two cycles each time. Patients in respiratory training group did pursed-lips breathing three times a day

15 min each time. Patients in Tai Chi and respiratory training group practiced both Tai Chi and pursed-lips breathing. In western medicine control group

patients were only given medicine for treatment. Treatment course of each group was 12 months. The pulmonary function（ including FEV1

FEV1%

and FEV1 /FVC）

6MWT

CAT score and aggravation situation were observed respectively 1 month

3 months

6 months and 12 months before and after treatment. Results There was no significant difference between groups in FEV1

FEV1% and FEV1 / FVC before and after treatment（ P > 0. 05）. Before treatment

6MWT of patients in each group had no statistically significant difference（ P > 0. 05）. After treatment

6MWT at each time point of western medicine control group had no statistically significant difference as compared with before treatment（ P > 0. 05）. Comparing with before treatment

6MWT in Tai Chi group

respiratory training group

and Tai Chi and respiratory training group was significantly prolonged 6 months and 12 months after treatment（ P < 0. 05）. 6MWT in Tai Chi and respiratory training group was also significantly prolonged 12 months after treatment comparing with that in the Tai Chi group

respiratory training group and western medicine control group（ P < 0. 05）. As for CAT score at each time point in western medicine control group

the difference between before and after treatment had no statistical significance（ P > 0. 05）. The CAT score in Tai Chi group

respiratory training group

and Tai Chi and respiratory training group was significantly decreased 6 months and 12 months after the treatment（ P < 0. 05）. In each group

difference among hospital stays due to acute exacerbation had no statistical significance（ P > 0. 05）. The average hospitalization days in Tai Chi group

respiratory training group

and Tai Chi and respiratory training group were dramatically shortened as compared with the western medicine control group（ P < 0. 05）. Conclusion Tai Chi and pursed-lips breathing can both improve the activity and quality of life and reduce the hospital stays of stable COPD patients. The combination of Tai Chi and pursed-lips breathing has more significant effect.