Objective To improve physical exercise behavior for stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients. Methods Totally 126 COPD patients in stable phrase after treatment in hospital were divided into an intervention group (n=62) and a control group (n=64) using random number table. Motivational interview based on CICARE communication model was utilized in physical exercise health guidance for patients in the intervention group, while conventional health education was used for the control group. The compliance behavior on physical exercise, changes in quality of life and severity of anxiety and depression of the two groups at 1, 4 and 7 months after discharge were assessed. Results The compliance behavior on physical exercise changed in different degrees over time between the two groups, and the compliance, COPD evaluation test and the result of self-reported anxiety and depression of the intervention group were significantly better than those of the control group (P＜0.05，P＜0.01). Conclusion The motivational interview based on CICARE communication is conducive to enhancing compliance of physical exercise for stable COPD patients, and improving their quality of life and emotion of anxiety and depression.