Objective To discuss the effects of positive psychological intervention on functional exercise adherence and life quality of patients with cerebral infarction. Methods A total of 87 cerebral infarction patients treated in our hospital from January 2014 to June 2014 were selected as observation group while 84 cerebral infarction patients were chosen as the control group in our hospital in July 2013 to December 2013 were selected as the control group. The patients of observation group received routine nursing and the patients of observation group received positive psychological intervention. After intervention, the treatment adherence, behavior of self-management and quality of life were investigated. Results After intervention, the daily life management, medical disease management and emotional management were (43.6±6.2), (52.2±3.4), (21.2±3.3), which were obviously higher than that of control group (P<0.05). The scores of SF-36 in the observation group were all higher than those of the control group except the dimension of body pain (P<0.05). The medical adherence of the observation group was obviously higher than that of the control group (P<0.01). Conclusions Positive psychology intervention can improve the self-management ability in patients with cerebral infarction, compliance function exercise, and the quality of life of the patients. Key words: Positive psychology theory; Functional exercise; Cerebral infarction; Life quality