Article

The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) is commonly used to measure exercise
capacity in COPD, but it is unclear if this test is accurate when performed at
home. This study aimed to determine whether exercise capacity can be accurately
assessed at home using the 6MWT in COPD. METHODS: A total of 19 participants with
stable COPD (mean [SD] FEV1/FVC 52[13]) undertook the 6MWT at home and at the
hospital, in random order, with two tests performed on each occasion. Hospital
tests were conducted on a 30-metre walking track whilst home tests (indoor or
outdoor) were conducted using the longest available track. Agreement for 6-minute
walk distance (6MWD) was examined using the Bland and Altman method. RESULTS: The
track length at home was mean [SD] of 17[9] m. The home 6MWD was shorter than the
hospital 6MWD (mean 30 m shorter, limits of agreement -167 to 102 m). For the
home tests, a shorter track length was associated with a greater reduction in
6MWD (rs = 0.59, p = 0.01), but not an increased number of turns (rs = -0.41, p =
0.08). CONCLUSIONS: The 6MWD underestimates exercise capacity when conducted at
home in COPD. Alternative tests suitable for the home environment should be
considered if a comprehensive assessment is to be performed at home. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: The 6-minute walk test is commonly used to assess change in
exercise capacity following pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease, and may be conducted on varying track lengths,
indoors or outdoors. When conducted at home, the 6-minute walk test
underestimates exercise capacity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, due to
a shorter track length available in the home environment. This suggests that
results from 6-minute walk tests performed at home environment cannot be directly
compared to results from centre-based tests.

Langue : ANGLAIS