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 .
Generic, symptom based, exercise rehabilitation; integrating patients with COPD and heart failure.
BACKGROUND Patients with Chronic Heart Failure ( CHF ) develop similar symptoms of exertional breathlessness and fatigue as patients with COPD . Although pulmonary ( exercise based ) rehabilitation ( PR ) is an integral part of the management of COPD , the potential for exercise rehabilitation ( ER ) to assist patients with CHF may not be as readily appreciated . We investigated whether combined ER for patients with CHF and COPD was feasible and effective using the model of PR . METHODS 57 patients with CHF were r and omized 2:1 to 7 weeks ER ( CHF-ER ) or 7 weeks of usual care ( CHF-UC )  . As a comparator 55 patients with COPD were simultaneously recruited to the same ER program ( COPD -ER ) . The primary outcome measure was the Incremental Shuttle Walk Test ( ISWT ) and the secondary outcome measures were the Endurance Shuttle Walk Test ( ESWT ) , isometric quadriceps strength and health status . RESULTS 27 CHF and 44 COPD patients completed ER and 17 patients with CHF completed UC . The CHF-ER group made significant improvements , compared to CHF-UC , in the mean ( 95%CI ) ISWT distance ; 62(35 - 89)m vs -6(-11 to 33)m p < 0.001 . The CHF-ER group also made statistically significant improvements in health status . The improvements in exercise performance and health status were similar between patients with CHF and COPD , treated with ER . CONCLUSION Patients with CHF who undergo ER improve similarly in their exercise performance and health status to COPD . Combined training programs for COPD and CHF are effective and feasible , such that service provision could be targeted around common disability rather than the primary organ disease
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 .