Abstract: Objective To observe the effect of breathing training on plasma catecholamine concentration,sleep and mood in stroke patients,and unravel the underlying mechanism. Methods Fifty stroke patients were selected and randomly assigned into the control group （n = 25） and training group （n = 25）. Patients in both groups received conventional rehabilitation. In the training group,breathing training was supplemented. The total training time was 6 weeks in two groups. The changes of plasma catecholamine concentration （norepinephrine （NE）,epinephrine （E）,dopamine （DA））between two groups were compared before and after corresponding interventions. The quality of sleep was assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scale （PSQI）. The anxiety and depression were assessed by the Self-Assessment Scale for Anxiety （SAS） and the Self-Assessment Scale for Depression （SDS）. Results After 6 weeks of treatment,NE,E and DA concentrations and PSQI,SAS and SDS scores were significantly lower than those before treatment in two groups （all P < 0.05）. These parameters in the training group were significantly lower compared with those in the control group （all P < 0.05）. Conclusions Breathing training improves the quality of sleep and mitigates anxiety and depression in stroke patients,probably via the mechanism of regulating autonomic function and lowering sympathetic activity,thereby reducing catecholamine concentration.