R³ Rehab Pathway Versus Usual Care After Lumbar Radicular Surgery
An Evidence-based Rehabilitation Pathway for Patients Undergoing Surgery for Lumbar Radicular Pain to Promote Return to Work: a Cluster Randomized Trial Comparison With Usual Care.
Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven
480 participants
Mar 16, 2026
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
The R³ trial is a multicentre cluster randomized controlled trial evaluating an evidence-based, person-centred rehabilitation pathway for patients undergoing lumbar surgery for radicular pain. The pathway includes structured pre-, peri-, and postoperative rehabilitation, early postoperative mobilization, case management, early return-to-work (RTW) guidance, and patient empowerment. Clusters (hospitals) are randomized to implement the R³ pathway (intervention) or continue usual care (control). The primary aim is to determine whether the R³ pathway reduces time to return to work compared with usual care.
Eligibility
Plain Language Summary
Simplified for easier understanding
This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.
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Interventions
A structured evidence-based rehabilitation pathway, guided by a case manager, starting preoperatively to 1 year postoperatively, including prehabilitation, perioperative rehabilitation and postoperative rehabilitation, with emphasis on fear reduction by keeping activity restrictions minimal and relevant, eliminating bracing and on active guidance to work resumption.
Locations(16)
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NCT07313566