The relation between walking capacity and clinical correlates in survivors of chronic spinal poliomyelitis.
OBJECTIVE
To examine (1) common clinical measures that may influence walking performance in the six-minute walk test (6MWT) in people with chronic poliomyelitis and (2) the test-retest reliability of the 6MWT distance, lower-extremity muscle strength, balance, and balance confidence on separate trials.


METHODS
A prospective quasi-experimental study.


METHODS
University-based postpolio clinic.


METHODS
Nineteen survivors of poliomyelitis (mean age, 62.2+/-1.9y; time since polio onset, 54.4+/-8.79y).


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
6MWT distance, rate-pressure product (RPP), Physiological Cost Index (PCI), ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), pain, fatigue, strength, standing balance, balance confidence, limb-length discrepancy, and lung function.


RESULTS
The 6MWT distance correlated with PCI, pretest pain, lower-extremity muscle strength, balance, balance confidence, corrected leg-length discrepancy, and lung function but not with RPP, RPE, posttest pain, or pretest and posttest fatigue. The PCI correlated with balance confidence and lung function. About 68% of the variance in 6MWT distance was accounted for by balance and pretest pain. The P value was set at .05.


CONCLUSIONS
With stringent standardization of the 6MWT applied to survivors of poliomyelitis (a neuromuscular condition with a musculoskeletal component), reproducibility was high; hence, test validity and interpretation were enhanced. The 6MWT distance was useful in elucidating the relation between impairment and a functional activity-namely, walking-in survivors of poliomyelitis.
Gylfadottir
Sif
S
Reykjalundur Rehabilitation Center, Mosfellsbaer, Iceland.
Dallimore
Marijke
M
Dean
Elizabeth
E
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005221:Fatigue / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007870:Leg Length Inequality / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D016262:Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D017741:Survivors; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*