Objective To promote the recovery of pulmonary function in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). Methods A total of 82 patients with AECOPD were divided into a control group of 40 and an experimental group of 42 according to their admission time. On the basis of routine treatment and nursing care, the control group received routine pulmonary rehabilitation, and the experimental group were subjected to a four-week, three-stage pulmonary rehabilitation program provided by a multidisciplinary team. Results After the intervention, the pulmonary function indices, arterial oxygen saturation, upper and lower limb exercise endurance and ability in activities of daily living were significantly higher, whereas the anxiety and depression scores were significantly lower in the experimental group than those in the control group (all P＜0.05). Conclusion Early pulmonary rehabilitation by multi-disciplinary team in the emergency department and collaborating with the inpatient ward can effectively improve lung function and exercise endurance of patients with AECOPD, thus to improve their psychosomatic state.