The two-minute walk test as a measure of functional capacity in cardiac surgery patients.
OBJECTIVE
To examine construct validity and sensitivity of the two-minute walk test (2MWT) in cardiac surgery patients.


METHODS
Measurements were made in patients preoperatively, during the postoperative in-hospital stay, and 6 to 8 weeks after discharge from hospital.


METHODS
Ambulatory and hospitalized care.


METHODS
Patients (N=122; mean age +/- standard deviation, 63+/-9 y) undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
The 2MWT, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification for cardiac disease, the Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living scale, and the Medical Outcomes Survey 36-Item Short-Form Health Questionnaire (SF-36).


RESULTS
Distance walked in 2 minutes decreased significantly postoperatively (from 138+/-26 m to 84+/-33 m, P<.001), but increased again at follow-up (151+/-31 m, P<.0001). Distance walked on the 2MWT correlated significantly to SF-36 (physical function subscale) preoperatively (r=.44) and at follow-up (r=.48) (P<.001). There was a significant difference in distance walked between those with NYHA class I and II compared with those classified as III or IV (P=.04). However, there was no significant difference in distance walked in 2 minutes between those who developed cardiac or pulmonary complications postoperatively (P> or =0.2).


CONCLUSIONS
The 2MWT was sensitive to change after cardiac surgery and showed moderate correlation with measures of physical functioning in this population. However, the 2MWT could not identify those who developed complications in the postoperative period.
Brooks
Dina
D
Department of Physical Therapy, University of Toronto, ON, Canada. dina.brooks@utoronto.ca
Parsons
Janet
J
Tran
Diem
D
Jeng
Bonnie
B
Gorczyca
Barbara
B
Newton
Janet
J
Lo
Vincent
V
Dear
Cheryl
C
Silaj
Ellen
E
Hawn
Therese
T
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016002:Discriminant Analysis; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking