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 .
Reproducibility and responsiveness of quality of life assessment and six minute walk test in elderly heart failure patients
Objective To examine the reproducibility and responsiveness to change of a six minute walk test and a quality of life measure in elderly patients with heart failure . Design Longitudinal within patient study . Subjects 60 patients with heart failure ( mean age 82 years ) attending a geriatric outpatient clinic , 45 of whom underwent a repeat assessment three to eight weeks later . Main outcome measures Subjects underwent a st and ardised six minute walk test and completed the chronic heart failure question naire ( CHQ ) , a heart failure specific quality of life question naire .  Intraclass correlation coefficients ( ICC ) were calculated using a r and om effects one way analysis of variance as a measure of reproducibility . Guyatt ’s responsiveness coefficient and effect sizes were calculated as measures of responsiveness to change . Results 24 patients reported no major change in cardiac status , while seven had deteriorated and 14 had improved between the two clinic visits . Reproducibility was satisfactory ( ICC > 0.75 ) for the six minute walk test , for the total CHQ score , and for the dyspnoea , fatigue , and emotion domains of the CHQ . Effect sizes for all measures were large ( > 0.8 ) , and responsiveness coefficients were very satisfactory ( > 0.7 ) . Effect sizes for detecting deterioration were greater than those for detecting improvement . Conclusions Quality of life assessment and a six minute walk test are reproducible and responsive measures of cardiac status in frail , very elderly patients with heart failure
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 .