Abstract: Objective To explore the effect of vibration phlegm elimination method along meridians combined with respiratory rehabilitation nursing on lung function and exercise endurance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods A total of 80 COPD patients admitted to Heze Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital from October 2020 to October 2022 were randomly divided into two groups with 40 cases each. The control group received respiratory rehabilitation care, while the observation group received acupoint selection along the meridians and vibration phlegm elimination method combined with respiratory rehabilitation care. Compared two groups of traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores, lung function [forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second FEV₁), FEV₁/FVC], exercise endurance [6-minute walking test (6MWT)], sputum output, and quality of life [St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ)]. Results After nursing, the observation group had lower scores of coughing, wheezing, phlegm accumulation, white mucus, and mouth mucus than the control group (P<0.05). After nursing, the FVC, FEV₁, and FEV₁/FVC of the observation group were all higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). After nursing, the observation group had a higher 6MWT and sputum output than the control group (P<0.05). The SGRQ score of the observation group after nursing was lower than that of the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion The combination of acupoint selection, vibration and phlegm elimination along the meridians, and respiratory rehabilitation nursing can significantly reduce clinical symptoms, improve lung function, promote phlegm elimination, and improve exercise endurance and quality of life in COPD patients.

Key words: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, respiratory rehabilitation care, the method of selecting acupoints along the meridians vibrating and expelling phlegm, lung function, sports endurance, quality of life