BEAM COPD: Breathing, Education, Awareness and Movement in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Moderate-severe COPD

2. Age ≥ 40 years

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Subjects with respiratory failure or GOLD stage 4 who are unable to safely perform a
6 minute walk test or otherwise safely exercise as deemed by a physician.

2. COPD exacerbation requiring steroids, antibiotics, ED visit or hospitalization within
the past 2 weeks unless physician deems subject at baseline

3. Planned major pulmonary intervention within the next 3 months

4. Hypoxemia on walk test or cardiopulmonary exercise test

5. Inability to ambulate due to vascular or other neuromuscular conditions that would
preclude a walk test

6. Clinical signs of unstable cardiovascular disease

7. Severe cognitive dysfunction

8. Non-English speaking

9. Current active participation in pulmonary rehabilitation program or current regular
practice of tai chi

10. Physician diagnosis of unstable/untreated clinical depression

11. History of lung cancer