Current data confirm that the 6MWT , ISWT and ESWT are valid , reliable and responsive to change with some interventions .
However , results are sensitive to small changes in methodology .
Field walking tests are commonly employed to evaluate exercise capacity , assess prognosis and evaluate treatment response in chronic respiratory diseases .
In recent years , there has been a wealth of new literature pertinent to the conduct of the 6-min walk test ( 6MWT ) , and a growing evidence base describing the incremental and endurance shuttle walk tests ( ISWT and ESWT , respectively ) .
The aim of this document is to describe the st and ard operating procedures for the 6MWT , ISWT and ESWT , which can be consistently employed by clinicians and research ers .
The acute effects of a rollator in individuals with COPD.
PURPOSE To investigate whether the acute benefits of rollator use are consistent over time in individuals with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease . METHODS Thirty-one stable subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( 13 men , 18 women ) , aged 68 + /- 8 years , with a forced expiratory volume in 1 second of 0.7 + /- 0.2 L ( 33 % + /- 12 % predicted ) and a baseline 6-minute walk ( 6MW ) of 261 + /- 68 m , were recruited from a respiratory clinic after completion of a pulmonary rehabilitation program . Two 6MWs were performed at baseline , 4 weeks , and 8 weeks , one walking unaided and the other walking with the assistance of a rollator . The test order was r and omly chosen at baseline , and the same test order was used at each time point . The primary outcome measures were distance walked in 6 minutes ( meters ) , perceived dyspnea using a modified Borg scale , and number of rests taken . RESULTS Subjects achieved higher 6MW distances during assisted compared with unassisted walking at baseline ( 292 + /- 67 vs 263 + /- 67 m ) , 4 weeks ( 296 + /- 62 vs 275 + /- 63 m ) , and 8 weeks ( 283 + /- 65 vs 259 + /- 68 m ) ( P = .013 ) , with no time effect ( P = .5 ) . In addition , use of a rollator result ed in a significant improvement in dyspnea ( P = .004 ) at baseline , 4 weeks , and 8 weeks , with no time effect ( P = .7 ) . The use of a rollator also reduced the number of rests taken during the 6MW ( P < .001 ) , with no time effect ( P = .9 ) . CONCLUSIONS Rollator use result ed in improvements in performance in the 6MW , which were consistent over time among individuals with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who walk less than 375 m during an unaided 6MW
Current data confirm that the 6MWT , ISWT and ESWT are valid , reliable and responsive to change with some interventions .
However , results are sensitive to small changes in methodology .
Field walking tests are commonly employed to evaluate exercise capacity , assess prognosis and evaluate treatment response in chronic respiratory diseases .
In recent years , there has been a wealth of new literature pertinent to the conduct of the 6-min walk test ( 6MWT ) , and a growing evidence base describing the incremental and endurance shuttle walk tests ( ISWT and ESWT , respectively ) .
The aim of this document is to describe the st and ard operating procedures for the 6MWT , ISWT and ESWT , which can be consistently employed by clinicians and research ers .