title: Six-minute walk distance in persons with Parkinson disease: a hierarchical regression model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the six-minute walk distance (6MWD) in subjects with Parkinson disease (PD) and to determine the impairments that contribute to walking capacity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive cross-sectional study of subjects with PD.
  
  
  METHODS
  University laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects with PD (N=75; 65.0+/-9.5y) of mild to moderate severity, as defined by an average Hoehn and Yahr (HY) rating of 2.0+/-0.4 and Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) motor score of 27+/-8.9, were tested on medication.
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects were administered the motor subsection of the UPDRS and completed the following tests: Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up & Go (TUG), and six-minute walk test. In addition, they also provided self-reports of freezing of gait and number of falls in the past 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average 6MWD was 391.6+/-99.9 m. All of the aforementioned tests, with the exception of fall number (P=.07), correlated significantly with 6MWD (r range, -.64 to .55). By using a hierarchical regression model, we entered age, HY, and UPDRS motor score into the first block (ie, set of independent variables) to represent parkinsonian characteristics, which explained a significant amount of variability in 6MWD (R2=.196, P<.001). The second block entered (eg, functional measures scores, self-reports) explained a significant amount of additional variability (R2 change=.355, P<.001). The TUG, BBS, and number of falls contributed independently in the presence of all independent variables.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 6MWD in subjects with PD is explained in part by disease-specific characteristics and perhaps to a greater extent by impaired balance and predisposition to falling. Training targeted at improving balance and reducing falling risk factors may increase 6MWD (ie, walking capacity) in subjects with PD.
authors.affiliation: Program in Physical Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Falvo
authors.forename: Gammon M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Earhart
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018450:Disease Progression; D015444:Exercise; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016138:Walking