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 .
Older adults in cardiac rehabilitation: a new strategy for enhancing physical function.
PURPOSE This study contrasted the effect of a group-mediated cognitive-behavioral intervention ( GMCB ) versus traditional cardiac rehabilitation ( CRP ) upon changes in objective and self-reported physical function of older adults [ mean ( SD ) age of 64.7 ( 7.5 ) yr ] after 3 months of exercise therapy . METHODS This r and omized clinical trial enrolled 147 participants who were eligible for inclusion into cardiac rehabilitation .  Baseline to 3-month changes in self-reported and performance related measures of physical function were assessed using a physical functioning question naire , a 6-min walk test , and measured MET levels . RESULTS Paired t-tests revealed that participants made improvements in all measures across the first 3 months of the study , irrespective of group treatment ( P < 0.001 ) . General linear models including effects for baseline levels of physical function , treatment , and gender revealed that lower functioning men in the GMCB treatment made greater improvements than any other subgroup on the two performance outcomes : 6-min walk and measured MET levels ( P < 0.01 ) . Gender did not moderate change in self-reported level of physical function ( P > 0.05 ) ; however , the lower functioning participants in the GMCB intervention experienced greater improvements in self-reported physical function than those in CRP ( P < 0.05 ) . CONCLUSIONS Exercise therapy is a valuable intervention for improving physical function of older adults with cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) and those at increased risk for CVD . Baseline level of physical function and gender are important variables to consider when study ing the relationship between exercise therapy and improvements in physical function
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 .