Chronic Non-specific Low Back Pain (CNSLBP) is considered an unknown-origin pain or discomfort in the lower back, persistent for a period equal or higher than 12 weeks. Although it is commonly prescribed, exercises alone seem to be less effective than associated with other modalities for the CNSLBP treatment. Thus, guidelines recommend a combination of interventions. Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT) is an effective method for alleviating CNSLBP. Thought, the scientific evidence about the effectives of laser PBMT combined with exercise is scarce and contradictory.

to evaluate the feasibility of carrying out a study of PBMT combined with exercise in individuals with CNSLBP.

36 participants with CNSLBP aged between 18 to 65 years old were selected. Participants were randomly allocated in (1) a six-week exercise program matched with active PBMT (n = 18) and (2) a six-week exercise program matched with placebo PBMT (n = 18). The clinical outcomes were measured at baseline, as well as 8 and 20 weeks after randomization. The primary outcomes were the feasibility of blinding patient, measuring patient's treatment satisfaction, the patient's difficulty in understanding past information, the occurrence of adverse effects, and patient adherence to treatment, evaluated using an adapted model of MedRisk Instrument for Measuring Patient Satisfaction with Physical Therapy Care Questionnaire.

blinding of the patients was possible, since 75% believe they used the active PBMT and 25% the placebo PBMT. Adherence to all meetings was 76.92%, requiring monitoring of the procedures. 87.5% of the patients are totally satisfied with the treatment received. 54.2% of the patients reported that was very easy to understand the given commands and 41.7% stated that was easy and 4.1% that was neither, nor easy or difficult to understand and no patient reported the occurrence of adverse effects during the interventions.

based on the results, it is possible to conclude that is feasible to carry out a treatment protocol using PBMT associated with exercise in individuals with CNSLBP.

the findings will help to determine the additional effect of PBMT to an exercise protocol on CNSLBP, potentially guiding clinical practice by providing an alternative method of therapy.