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.