Objective: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a major publichealth problem. In the present study, we aimed to investigate thepossible effects of upper extremity exercises and neuromuscularelectrical stimulation therapy applied to auxiliary respiratory muscles onarterial blood gases, blood pressure, heart rate values, and quality of lifein patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.Material and Methods: Thirty patients who were diagnosed with stage4 severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by a pulmonologist andwho needed intensive care were included in the study. The patientswere equally allocated into two groups containing 15 patients each:control and intervention. Both groups were given an unassisted upperextremity exercise program for four weeks, and only one group wasgiven neuromuscular electrical stimulation on auxiliary respiratorymuscles for 10 days. Arterial blood gas measurements, peak heartrate, and breathing frequency were recorded. St. George s RespiratoryQuestionnaire and short form-36 were performed for the evaluation ofthe quality of life. Functional capacity was determined by functionalindependent measurement. Evaluations of the patients were performedon the 1 st, 8 th, 15 th, and 30 th days of the study.Results: There were statistically signifcant improvements in peak heartrate, breathing frequency per minute, and functional independencyscores in the group where exercise and neuromuscular electricalstimulation had been concomitantly applied (p<0.05).Conclusion: This study revealed positive effects of neuromuscularelectrical stimulation in addition with therapeutic exercises on thecardiorespiratory system in the short run.