To evaluate the therapeutic effects of Huangqi decoction on patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) of Qi deficiency and phlegm stasis type as well as its impact on pulmonary function.

Eighty-nine patients with COPD of Qi deficiency and phlegm stasis type admitted to Urumqi Hospital of traditional Chinese Medicine from March 2017 to May 2018 were included. According to treatment method used, they were divided into an observation group (46 cases) and a control group (43 cases). Both groups were treated with conventional Western medicine. The observation group was additionally treated with Huangqi decoction. The therapeutic effects of the two groups were compared by the χ² test. The additionally differences of pulmonary function index and St George's respiratory questionnaire index between groups and before and after treatment were compared by the independent sample t-test and matched sample t-test.

The total effective rate in the observation group was 97.83%, which was significantly higher than that of the control group (62.79%) (χ²=17.654, P<0.001). The forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, and forced expiratory volume vital capacity ratio in the first second after treatment in the observation group were higher than those of the control group ([57.71±9.79]% vs [50.53±8.62]%, t=3.662, P<0.001; [62.18±9.80]% vs [56.52±8.71]%, t=2.872, P=0.005; [67.77±13.01]% vs [61.77±10.05]%, t=2.423, P=0.017). After treatment, the quality of life in the observation group was significantly poorer than that of the control group ([27.55±8.60] points vs [35.12±9.55] points, t=5.775, P<0.001).

Huangqi decoction is effective in the treatment of patients with COPD of Qi deficiency and phlegm stasis type, and it can improve the lung function and quality of life of the patients.