title: [A survey on the performance of the six-minute walk test].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To ascertain, through a national survey, whether the performance of the six-minute walk test (MW6) is in accordance with the recommendations of the American thoracic society (ATS).
  
  
  METHODS
  An anonymous questionnaire was sent electronically to 206 departments of respiratory medicine (39 teaching hospitals and 167 general hospitals) and to respiratory rehabilitation departments provided by the Alveolar group of the SLPF (French language respiratory society), and then distributed on a discussion site specialising in respiratory physiotherapy and a professional information site for physiotherapists.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and eleven questionnaires were returned between October 2009 and April 2010, 105 from France. The response rate from hospitals was 30%. The MW6 was performed mainly by physiotherapists and nurses. In 48% there was no precise time for its performance. The site used was a corridor longer than 30 metres in 52% of cases. In 60% the patient was accompanied by the observer. In 35% a familiarisation test was performed, with a delay of 30 minutes or less between the two tests in 62% of these. In 40% encouragement was given. SpO(2) was monitored during the MW6 in 95%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For many items the recommendations of the ATS are not followed. The differences found were mainly due to constraints on the services (availability of operators and/or patients).
authors: Service de pneumologie, l'institut du thorax, CHU de Nantes, 44093 Nantes, France.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Cabillic
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Rass-Roumeguere
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Peron
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Gouilly
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Beaumont
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Chambellan
mesh_terms: D000352:Africa, Northern; D001530:Belgium; D003625:Data Collection; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005602:France; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D015272:Pulmonary Medicine / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012955:Societies, Medical / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013557:Switzerland; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*