Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with limited therapeutic efficacy in current treatment regimens. Non-pharmacological approaches such as phototherapy and magnetotherapy may offer adjunctive benefits.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy, immune response modulation, and bronchial patency improvement associated with pulsed visible-spectrum phototherapy combined with magnetotherapy in COPD patients at early rehabilitation stages, and to assess the corresponding effects on macrophage function in an experimental COPD rat model.

Methods: Sixty-three patients with COPD stages I–II were enrolled and divided into main (n = 28) and control (n = 35) groups. The main group received pulsed phototherapy using a “SLU-2” device on lung root projections in addition to standard magnetotherapy, while the control group received magnetotherapy alone. Both groups underwent functional, immunological, and cytological evaluations pre- and post-treatment. An experimental COPD model in rats was induced via chronic tobacco smoke exposure, followed by similar phototherapy protocols for macrophage assessment.

Results: Post-treatment, the main group exhibited significant reductions in cough severity, dyspnea, and obstructive symptoms (p < 0.05). Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁) and forced vital capacity (FVC) increased by 1.5-fold and 1.2-fold, respectively. Mid-expiratory flows improved significantly. Immunological assays showed enhanced T-lymphocyte proliferation and helper cell counts. Cytological analysis revealed increased phagocytic leukocyte activity and progression to epithelialization stages. In the rat model, macrophage enzymatic activity significantly increased following phototherapy (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Combined pulsed phototherapy and magnetotherapy significantly improved pulmonary function, enhanced immune responses, and promoted nonspecific cellular defense in COPD patients without adverse cardiovascular effects. These findings support the integration of phototherapy modalities into COPD rehabilitation protocols.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulsed phototherapy, magnetotherapy

Alyavi B.A., Rakhimova D.A., Tilloeva S.S., et al. Assessment of pulmonary hemodynamic disorders and quality of life in COPD patients undergoing complex therapy. Cardiology of Uzbekistan. 2019;4:54–60.

Alyavi A.L., Rakhimova D.A., Tillaeva S.S., Sabirzhanova Z.T. Ventilatory function in pulmonary hypertension among asthma patients. Ukrainian Therapeutic Journal. 2019;1:14–17.

Alyavi A.L. et al. Quality of life in asthma with pulmonary hypertension and effects of complex therapy. Tashkent Medical Academy Bulletin. 2019;3:71–75.

Alyavi A.L, Rakhimova D.A, Tilloeva S.S. Ventilation-perfusion ability in bronchial asthma with pulmonary hypertension. Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research. 2019;14(1):10448–10450.

Alyavi A.L et al. Effects of complex therapy in asthma and pulmonary hypertension. International Conference Proceedings. 2019:26–27.

Rakhimova D.A. et al. Pulmonary hemodynamic disorders and psycho-emotional imbalance in respiratory comorbidity. Central Asian Journal of Medical and Natural Sciences. 2022:36–41.

Rakhimova D.A, Tilloeva S.S. COPD and quality of life: comparative analysis. Asian Journal of Multidimensional Research. 2019;8(10):5–10.

Tilloeva S.S. et al. Cardiorespiratory condition in asthma and hypertension. New Day in Medicine. 2020;2:227–230.

Tilloeva S.S. Quality of life and psychological status in lung hypertension. New Day in Medicine. 2020;4:701–703.

Tilloeva S.S., Bozorov A.S., Radjabov R.K. New recommendations for erythrocyte transfusion. Central Asian Journal of Medical and Natural Sciences. 2021:418–422.