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R³ Rehab Pathway Versus Usual Care After Lumbar Radicular Surgery

RecruitingNAAges 18 Years - 65 YearsAllUniversitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven
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In plain words

What the trial is, and whether it could suit you

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.

Sign in to get the eligibility rules as simple questions to take to your doctor.

📋 Eligibility rules (as published)
Inclusion Criteria: * Radicular pain (for ≥ 6 weeks prior to screening), with a clear indication for lumbar spinal surgery ((micro)discectomy, decompression and/or fusion), in accordance with the KCE guidelines (when evidence-based multimodal management has not improved pain or function and radiological findings are consistent with clinical symptoms) * Employed (working or on sick leave for less than 1 year due to spinal pathology) * Age 18 - 65 years * Surgery is scheduled within a timeframe of five days to 2 months after the decision for surgery (4 months for fusion) * For lumbar fusion surgery, the fusion should be restricted to one or two levels * Able to provide written informed consent, implying that the participant is both physically and cognitively capable of understanding the study information and signing the consent form independently. Exclusion Criteria: Patients are not eligible for the trial in case of any of the following criteria: * Lumbar surgery performed for malignant disease, spinal fracture, infectious spinal disease * Insufficient knowledge of Dutch or French language to receive education in the recruiting center and to complete the questionnaires (consistent with the language spoken in the recruiting centre) * Immediate surgery via emergency admission that precludes prehabilitation * Revision fusion surgery * Non-residency in Belgium
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What it tests

  • R³ Rehabilitation Pathway
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Where

16 sites
ZAS
Antwerp, Belgium
AZ Sint Jan Brugge
Bruges, Belgium
UZ Brussel
Brussels, Belgium
Grand Hôpital de Charleroi
Charleroi, Belgium
Ziekenhuis Geel
Geel, Belgium
ZOL Genk
Genk, Belgium
Jessa Ziekenhuis
Hasselt, Belgium
AZ Herentals
Herentals, Belgium

…and 8 more on ClinicalTrials.gov.

🤝 Taking part is your choice, and you can leave at any time. Only the trial team can confirm you are eligible — always decide together with your own doctor.
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