MATERIAL AND METHODS: multi-center (4 hospitals) prospective randomized controlled study that will include 150 patients with moderate-severe COPD (age <75; BODE 4-10) with a 3 years follow-up. All patients will receive an initial in-hospital rehabilitation program which includes: Education, Physiotherapy, lower and upper extremities training and respiratory muscles training. Following completion of this program, patients will undergo concealed randomization to one of two maintenance strategies:1.-an intensive maintenance program (GR1) 2.- a standard, minimal monitoring program (GR2). On the intensive maintenance program (GR1) the physiotherapist will call once a week as a reminder and the patient will attend the hospital once a week . A physiotherapist will supervise the weekly in-hospital exercise and he/she will check if the patient is properly undergoing the rehabilitation treatment.