Abstract: Objective To explore the effects of breathing exercise training combined with acupoint application on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients in the acute exacerbation stage. Methods A total of 57 COPD patients in the acute exacerbation stage who were admitted into Hai'an Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from April 2016 to April 2017 were selected, who received routine nursing and were set as a control group. Meanwhile, another 57 COPD patients in the acute exacerbation stage who were admitted into Hai'an Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from May 2017 to May 2018 were selected, who received respiratory exercise training combined with acupoint application and was set as an observation group. Both groups were compared for clincial efficacy, pulmonary function and the quality of life. Results After one month of nursing, the observation group presented remarkably improved efficacy and pulmonary function than the control group (P<0.05). Meanwhile, the scores of social function, emotional function and mental health were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions The combination of respiratory exercise training combined with acupoint application can be applied in COPD patients in the acute exacerbation stage, which improves the efficacy, effectively enhances pulmonary function and improves the quality of life.