Abstract Background Pulmonary tele-rehabilitation can improve adherence to pulmonary rehabilitation. However, there are few reports on home based pulmonary tele-rehabilitation. We assessed the effectiveness of home based pulmonary tele-rehabilitation under telemedicine system in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods This cohort study enrolled 174 patients with COPD who received home based pulmonary tele-rehabilitation under telemedicine system. The follow-up time was 12 weeks. Patients were grouped according to pulmonary rehabilitation weeks, number of rehabilitation times and total duration time, and when these three data were inconsistent, the two lowest values were grouped: control group (total rehabilitation weeks < 1 week, total number of rehabilitation times < 5, total duration time < 150 min, n = 46), pulmonary rehabilitation group 1 (PR-1) (1 week ≤ rehabilitation weeks < 4 weeks, 5 ≤ total number of rehabilitation times < 20, 150 min ≤ total duration time < 1200 min, n = 31), pulmonary rehabilitation group 2 (PR-2) (4 weeks ≤ rehabilitation weeks < 8 weeks, 20 ≤ total number of rehabilitation times < 40, 600 min ≤ total duration time < 2400 min, n = 23), pulmonary rehabilitation group 3 (PR-3) (8 weeks ≤ rehabilitation weeks < 12 weeks, 40 ≤ total number of rehabilitation times < 60, 1200 min ≤ total duration time < 3600 min, n = 40) and pulmonary rehabilitation group 4 (PR-4) (rehabilitation weeks = 12 weeks, total number of rehabilitation times = 60, total duration time = 3600 min, n = 34). The clinical data before and after rehabilitation were collected and evaluated, including dyspnea symptoms, 6-min walk distance (6MWD), diaphragmatic mobility, anxiety and depression. Results There was no significance difference between control group and PR-1 group. PR-2 group after rehabilitation had significantly decreased CAT and HAMA scores than control (P < 0.05). Compared with control, PR-3 group and PR-4 group after rehabilitation had significantly higher 6MWD and diaphragmatic motility during deep breathing, but significantly lower CAT score, mMRC score, HAMA score, and HAMD score (P < 0.05). Compared with before pulmonary rehabilitation, in PR-3 and PR-4 groups, the 6MWD and the diaphragmatic motility during deep breathing were significantly higher, while CAT score, mMRC score, HAMA score, and HAMD score (for PR-4 only) were significantly lower after pulmonary rehabilitation (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between PR-3 group and PR-4 group (P > 0.05). In the 12-week pulmonary rehabilitation program, patients who completed at least 8 weeks, namely those in the PR-3 and PR-4 groups, accounted for 42.5% of the total number. Education, income and response rate to telemedicine system reminders were the main risk factors associated with home based pulmonary tele-rehabilitation. Conclusions Home based pulmonary tele-rehabilitation under telemedicine system for more than 8 weeks can significantly improve the dyspnea symptoms, 6MWD, diaphragmatic mobility during deep breathing, and negative emotions of patients with moderate to severe stable COPD. Trial registration: This study was registered at Chinese Clinical Trial Registry under registration number of ChiCTR2200056241 CTR2200056241 .