Good repeatability ( for the 6MWT and ESWT ) and reproducibility ( for the 6MWT , 12-minute walk test , ISWT , ESWT , and incremental cycle ergometer test ) were reported by most studies assessing these tests , providing patients were familiarized with them beforeh and .
The 6MWT , ISWT , and particularly the ESWT were reported to be sensitive to therapeutic intervention .
Exercise tests are often used to evaluate the functional status of patients with COPD .
However , to the best of our knowledge , a comprehensive systematic comparison of these tests has not been performed .
We systematic ally review ed studies reporting the repeatability and /or reproducibility of these tests , and studies comparing their sensitivity to therapeutic intervention .
Modifying track layout from straight to circular has a modest effect on the 6-min walk distance.
BACKGROUND The protocol used for the 6-min walk test ( 6MWT ) influences its results . The only study to examine the effect of modifying track layout performed a retrospective analysis and concluded that institutions using continuous tracks yield greater distances than those using straight tracks . Agreement between the distances measured on different tracks could not be examined . We evaluated the effect of modifying track layout on walk distance and examined the agreement and repeatability of distances measured on different tracks . METHODS In a prospect i ve , r and omized , cross-over study , 27 COPD subjects ( FEV(1 ) , 38 + /- 14 % [ mean + /- SD ] ; 15 men ) attended three separate test sessions , completing six 6MWTs . To familiarize all subjects with both tracks , the first two sessions comprised two 6MWTs on either a circular or straight track . During the final session , each subject was tested once on the straight and once on the circular track . RESULTS The distance walked on the circular track exceeded the straight track by 13 + /- 17 m ( p < 0.001 ) . The limit of agreement between tracks was 33 m. Coefficient of repeatability values when the test was completed on different days for the straight and circular tracks were 51 m and 65 m , respectively . CONCLUSIONS When evaluating changes in 6-min walk distance in groups of patients , track layout should be st and ardized . However , the effect of modifying track layout on an individual 's walking distance is small compared to their daily variability in walk distance . Therefore , st and ardizing track layout for any given individual may be inconsequential when evaluating the change in distances from tests performed on different days
Good repeatability ( for the 6MWT and ESWT ) and reproducibility ( for the 6MWT , 12-minute walk test , ISWT , ESWT , and incremental cycle ergometer test ) were reported by most studies assessing these tests , providing patients were familiarized with them beforeh and .
The 6MWT , ISWT , and particularly the ESWT were reported to be sensitive to therapeutic intervention .
Exercise tests are often used to evaluate the functional status of patients with COPD .
However , to the best of our knowledge , a comprehensive systematic comparison of these tests has not been performed .
We systematic ally review ed studies reporting the repeatability and /or reproducibility of these tests , and studies comparing their sensitivity to therapeutic intervention .