OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of TCM therapy, by principle for nourishing Qi, activating blood circulation and resolving phlegm, on quality of life of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

METHODSSeventy-two COPD patients with Qi-deficiency, blood stasis and phlegm retention syndrome were randomly divided into two groups. Thirty-five patients in the treated group were treated with the integrative traditional and Western medicine, that is, conventional Western medicine combined with Chinese compound recipe prescribed based on the principle of nourishing Qi, activating blood circulation and resolving phlegm, or with Feikang granule and Bailing capsule, while 37 in the control group was treated with conventional Western medicine alone. The clinical efficacy was evaluated by assessment software of COPD quality of life after patients were treated for 3 months.

RESULTSThe clinical efficacy in the treated group was superior to that in the control group, showing significant difference (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONCompound recipe prescribed according to the therapeutic principle for nourishing Qi, activating blood circulation and resolving phlegm can improve the symptoms of patients with COPD at stable stage, elevate their quality of life.