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 .
Energy Expenditure at Rest and during Walking in Patients with Chronic Respiratory Failure: A Prospective Two-Phase Case-Control Study
Background Measurements of Energy Expenditure ( EE ) at rest ( REE ) and during physical activities are increasing in interest in chronic patients . In this study we aim ed at evaluating the validity/reliability of the SenseWear ® Armb and ( SWA ) device in terms of REE and EE during assisted walking in Chronic Respiratory Failure ( CRF ) patients receiving long-term oxygen therapy ( LTOT ) . Methodology /Principal Findings In a two-phase prospect i ve protocol we studied 40 severe patients and 35 age-matched healthy controls . In phase-1 we determined the validity and repeatability of  REE  measured by SWA ( REEa ) in comparison with st and ard calorimetry ( REEc ) . In phase-2 we then assessed EE and Metabolic Equivalents-METs by SWA during the 6-minute walking test while breathing oxygen in both assisted ( Aid ) or unassisted ( No-Aid ) modalities . When compared with REEc , REEa was slightly lower in patients ( 1351±169 vs 1413±194 kcal/day respectively , p<0.05 ) , and less repeatable than in healthy controls ( 0.14 and 0.43 coefficient respectively ) . COPD patients with CRF patients reported a significant gain with Aid as compared with No-Aid modality in terms of meters walked , perceived symptoms and EE . Conclusions / Significance SWA provides a feasible and valid method to assess the energy expenditure in CRF patients on LTOT , and it shows that aided walking results in a substantial energy saving in this population
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 .