Abstract: Abstract: Objective To observe the effect of early pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) on patients with acute exacerbation
of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). Methods AECOPD patients (n=97) were randomly distributed into
two groups: control group (n=39) and rehabilitation group (n=58). Patients in both groups were assessed when symptom im⁃
proved from acute phase (baseline, T1). Then patients in control group only received pharmaco-therapy and rehabilitation ed⁃
ucation without PR. When symptom was relieved and stable (T2), they were given 12 weeks PR (T3). On the other hand, pa⁃
tients in rehabilitation group underwent a 12-week PR after T1 directly (T2). The lung function parameters, 6 min walking
distance (6MWD), MRC scores and CAT scores were observed and analyzed in two groups. Results Until the end of the 12-
weeks observation, the value of lung function showed no statistic differences between two groups（either T1 in control group vs
T1 in PR group or T2 in PR group vs T2 and T3 in control group. In control group, the value of 6MWD scores of T3 was bet⁃
ter than that of T1 and T2, in PR group（F6MWD=8.762， FMRC=4.432， FCAT=10.266， P < 0.05） while MRC, CAT value in T3 of
control group were higher than those in T1 and T2 of PR group. At T1, parameters does not demonstrate significant difference
between these two groups. Value of 6MWD was higher while MRC and CAT were lower in T2 of PR group than that in T2 and
T3 of control group. Conclusion Early pulmonary rehabilitation could improve the mobility and qulity of life, as well as
ameliorate the severity of dyspnea in AECOPD patients.

Key words: pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive, pulmonary rehabilitation, exacerbation, 6-minutes walk distance
(6MWD), COPD assessment test(CAT)