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Updated: Apr 25, 2026

Home-Based Prescribed Pulmonary Exercise in Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Published on: August 24, 2019
Tai chi mind-body exercise in patients with COPD: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Gloria Y Yeh1, Peter M Wayne, Daniel Litrownik
1Division of General Medicine and Primary Care, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 1309 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA 02446, USA. gyeh@hms.harvard.edu.
Tai chi shows promise for improving quality of life and exercise capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This mind-body exercise may offer a novel, accessible option for COPD self-management.
Area of Science:
- Respiratory Medicine
- Integrative and Complementary Medicine
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive condition causing dyspnea and exercise intolerance.
- Current pulmonary rehabilitation programs are underutilized, highlighting the need for novel interventions.
- Tai chi, a mind-body exercise, incorporates elements crucial for COPD self-management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and feasibility of a 12-week tai chi program for COPD patients.
- To explore optimal training duration and the impact of a simplified mind-body breathing intervention.
- To provide preliminary evidence on tai chi's value for COPD symptom and functional capacity improvement.
Main Methods:
- Randomized controlled trial comparing tai chi (N=63) to a time/attention-matched education control (N=31).
- Primary outcomes: COPD-specific quality-of-life and exercise capacity.
- Secondary outcomes: dyspnea, mood, functional status, self-efficacy, and lung function; cardiopulmonary exercise testing in a subset.
Main Results:
- Preliminary findings from the BEAM study will assess tai chi's impact on quality of life and exercise capacity.
- The study will provide data on the feasibility and potential benefits of a mind-body breathing intervention.
- Insights into how isolated mind-body exercise components contribute to overall effects will be gained.
Conclusions:
- Positive results could establish tai chi as a novel exercise option for COPD patients.
- Tai chi and related mind-body practices may enhance self-management strategies for COPD.
- The study will inform the potential accessibility and benefits of tai chi for a large COPD population.
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