Comparison of the studies investigating reliability shows that the 6MWT has good reproducibility .
The 6MWT demonstrates moderate correlation with peak VO(2 ) levels , and ability to predict VO(2 ) ( functional capacity ) dependent on distance walked .
Cut-off distances vary from 300 to 490 meters depending on the study ; if total distance walked remains equal or less than these values , the 6MWT retains its strong predictive value .
The 6MWT has good reliability , moderate validity , and a significant ability to predict functional capacity in patients with CHF who do not walk greater than 490 meters
PURPOSE To evaluate the reliability and validity of the six-minute walk test ( 6MWT ) with respect to its ability to predict functional capacity in patients with chronic heart failure .
The 6-minute walk as an appropriate exercise test in elderly patients with chronic heart failure.
BACKGROUND The value of the 6-minute walk in a population of elderly patients with chronic heart failure ( CHF ) has not yet been established , as it has been in a younger population . METHODS In a prospect i ve trial , 2 exercise tests were compared : the 6-minute walk ( 6 MW ) and a treadmill test with progressive increments in workload .  37 patients ( mean age 81.3 , SD 5.6 years ) : 11 untrained controls , 16 patients with New York Heart Association ( NYHA ) class II and 10 patients with NYHA class III participated . The main outcome measures were the distance walked in 6 minutes , the symptomatic VO2max in the progressive treadmill test and the degree of CHF as scored by the NYHA classification and the Boston Study Group ( BSG ) score . RESULTS For both the 6 MW and the treadmill test there was a significant difference in distance between NYHA class II and III patients ( p < .001 ) , between the controls and NYHA class III patients ( p < .001 ) , but not between the controls and NYHA class II patients . The distance walked in the  6 MW  was well correlated with the distance walked in the treadmill test ( p < .001 ) . Eight participants ( 22 % ) , however , were unable to perform this treadmill test and 6 participants ( 17 % ) covered very low distances compared to the 6 MW . The VO2max was lower in NYHA class III than in class II patients ( p = .032 ) . NYHA classification and BSG score correlated reasonably well . CONCLUSION A treadmill exercise test with VO2max measurement in elderly patients with CHF is difficult to accomplish . On the contrary , the 6 MW gives a good impression of the remaining exercise capacity . It is well correlated with the treadmill test . The 6 MW is well tolerated by elderly patients and differentiates between NYHA classes II and III . Untrained controls could not be differentiated from NYHA class II patients
Comparison of the studies investigating reliability shows that the 6MWT has good reproducibility .
The 6MWT demonstrates moderate correlation with peak VO(2 ) levels , and ability to predict VO(2 ) ( functional capacity ) dependent on distance walked .
Cut-off distances vary from 300 to 490 meters depending on the study ; if total distance walked remains equal or less than these values , the 6MWT retains its strong predictive value .
The 6MWT has good reliability , moderate validity , and a significant ability to predict functional capacity in patients with CHF who do not walk greater than 490 meters
PURPOSE To evaluate the reliability and validity of the six-minute walk test ( 6MWT ) with respect to its ability to predict functional capacity in patients with chronic heart failure .