R³ Rehab Pathway Versus Usual Care After Lumbar Radicular Surgery

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.

NCT Number	NCT07313566
Lead Sponsor	Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven Collaborators: Federal Knowledge Centre (KCE)
Conditions	Lumbar Radiculopathy, Radicular Low Back Pain
Enrollment	480 participants
Start Date	2026-03-16
Primary Completion	2028-05 (estimated)
Study Completion	2028-05 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-05-05