Comparison of the 6-minute walk distance test performed on a non-motorised treadmill and in a corridor in healthy elderly subjects.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) test performed on a non-motorised treadmill (6MWD-T) with the 6MWD test performed in a corridor (6MWD-C) in healthy elderly subjects.


METHODS
Sixteen healthy elderly individuals.


METHODS
Participants performed three 6MWD-T tests and three 6MWD-C tests on two different days.


METHODS
Distance walked was recorded in metres. Perceived exertion and leg fatigue were rated on the modified Borg scale before and after each test.


RESULTS
Using the Bland and Altman limits of agreement analysis method, the mean difference between the two methods was 153.3m (limits of agreement: 28 to 278). The mean difference between days 1 and 2 for the 6MWD-C test was -7.2m (limits of agreement: -45.4 to 30.8), and the mean difference between days 1 and 2 for the 6MWD-T test was -1.6m (limits of agreement: -64.0 to 60.7). The mean difference between the first and second repetitions of the 6MWD-C test was -5m (limits of agreement: -41 to 31), and the mean difference between the first and second repetitions of the 6MWD-T test was -17m (limits of agreement: -85 to 51).


CONCLUSIONS
The 6MWD-C and 6MWD-T tests are not interchangeable. However, the results showed good test-retest reliability between days and between test repetitions for both tests. Therefore, the 6MWD-T test may offer an alternative option to the 6MWD-C test when a 30-m corridor is not available. These findings may have implications for execution of the 6MWT-T test within cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation.
Janaudis-Ferreira
Tania
T
Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy, Umeå University, Umeå 901 87, Sweden. tania.janaudis@physiother.umu.se
Sundelin
Gunnevi
G
Wadell
Karin
K
D000368:Aged; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D016138:Walking