Qualitative analysis indicated moderate evidence for repeatability of the 6MWT in patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation , for a 2 % to 8 % learning effect between repeated 6MWTs , for a relationship between peak heart rate during the 6MWT and during cycle exercise at the ventilatory threshold , and for moderate-to-high correlation between the 6-minute walk distance and maximum metabolic equivalents achieved on symptom-limited exercise tests .
Strong evidence suggests that the 6MWT is responsive to clinical change following cardiac rehabilitation .
BACKGROUND The  6-minute walk test ( 6MWT ) is a common outcome measurement in cardiac rehabilitation .
However , a search of the literature found no established guidelines for use of the 6MWT in cardiac rehabilitation .
OBJECTIVES Systematic review of the validity , reliability and responsiveness of the 6MWT in cardiac rehabilitation .
Assessment of a low-intensity cardiac rehabilitation programme using the six-minute walk test
Objective : To examine the utility of the six-minute walk test ( 6′WT ) , in assessing the effectiveness of a six-week cardiac rehabilitation programme , of which exercise training was an integral part . Setting : Royal Liverpool and Broad Green Hospitals Rehabilitation Unit . Design : Two hundred and thirty-nine consecutive patients referred for cardiac rehabilitation were allocated to one of two groups . In group A 209 entered and 159 completed the usual rehabilitation programme whilst group B patients ( n = 30 ) acted as a control by deferring entry to the programme for six weeks , continuing only activities of daily living . Outcome measures : Both groups were assessed using the 6′WT , peak expiratory flow rate ( PEFR ) and isometric grip strength at enrolment and six weeks . Results : At baseline , groups A and B were demographically identical without significant differences in terms of 6′WT , PEFR or grip strength . Following the study period , group A showed a significant increase in 6′WT from 314.7 ± 76.2 to 377.3 ± 78.6 m , in PEFR from 406.9 ± 115.9 to 437.8 ± 118.6 litres per minute and in grip strength from 28.8 ± 9.31 to 30.3 ± 8.93 kg , all p < 0.001 . There were no significant changes in group B. Conclusions : The 6′WT proved to be a simple and effective measurement of functional capacity in patients performing cardiac rehabilitation . The clinical programme investigated successfully increased patients ' functional capacity as assessed by the 6′WT . Significant improvement in PEFR and grip strength was also demonstrated , compared with a control population
Qualitative analysis indicated moderate evidence for repeatability of the 6MWT in patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation , for a 2 % to 8 % learning effect between repeated 6MWTs , for a relationship between peak heart rate during the 6MWT and during cycle exercise at the ventilatory threshold , and for moderate-to-high correlation between the 6-minute walk distance and maximum metabolic equivalents achieved on symptom-limited exercise tests .
Strong evidence suggests that the 6MWT is responsive to clinical change following cardiac rehabilitation .
BACKGROUND The  6-minute walk test ( 6MWT ) is a common outcome measurement in cardiac rehabilitation .
However , a search of the literature found no established guidelines for use of the 6MWT in cardiac rehabilitation .
OBJECTIVES Systematic review of the validity , reliability and responsiveness of the 6MWT in cardiac rehabilitation .