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 Combination of Tiotropium and Budesonide in the Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Because additive effects of inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting anticholinergics are unclear , we undertook this study to compare the efficacy of tiotropium alone and tiotropium plus budesonide in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease . The study subjects were r and omized to receive either tiotropium 18 µg once daily with or without budesonide 200 µg twice daily for 6 weeks . The efficacy variables were changes in trough forced expiratory volume in one second ( FEV1 ) , St. George 's Respiratory Question naire ( SGRQ ) , 6-minute walk distance ( 6MWD ) , and use of rescue medication . One hundred patients were r and omized and 81 completed the study . The mean age was 64.0 yr , and the mean FEV1 was 39.7 % predicted . Compared with tiotropium alone ( N=40 ) , the tiotropium/budesonide combination ( N=41 ) was related to an improvement in the SGRQ total score  ( tiotropium -2.8 units and tiotropium/budesonide -5.6 units , p=0.003 ) . 6MWD was improved by 13.5 m in the tiotropium group and by 22.5 m in the tiotropium/budesonide group ( p=0.031 ) . Changes in trough FEV1 and the use of rescue medication were similar between two groups . In conclusion , compared with tiotropium alone , the tiotropium/budesonide combination was related to an improved health-related quality of life . These data support that low-dose budesonide may enhance the efficacy of tiotropium
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 .