title: Validity of the 6min walk test in outpatients with bipolar disorder.
abstract: Cardiorespiratory fitness is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. People with bipolar disorder have a reduced cardiorespiratory fitness and its assessment within a multidisciplinary treatment therefore is necessary. We investigated the validity of the 6min walk test in people with bipolar disorder. A secondary aim was to assess clinical and demographic characteristics that might interfere with cardiorespiratory fitness performance. 19 (5♂) outpatients (47.1±8.3 years) underwent a 6min walk test and a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test on a cycle ergometer and completed the Positive-and-Negative-Affect-Schedule (PANAS) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The distance achieved on the 6min walk test correlated moderately with peak oxygen uptake obtained during the maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test. The variance in age, weight and the PANAS negative score explained 70% of the variance in the distance achieved on the 6min walk test. The 6min walk test can be used as a measure-of-proxy to gauge cardiorespiratory fitness in people with bipolar disorder when maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test equipment is not available. Negative mood should be considered when evaluating the cardiorespiratory fitness of this vulnerable population.
authors.affiliation: KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: davy.vancampfort@uc-kortenberg.be.
authors.forename: Davy
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vancampfort
authors.affiliation: KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Roselien
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Buys
authors.affiliation: KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, UPC KU Leuven, Campus Kortenberg, Z.org KU Leuven, Kortenberg, Belgium.
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sienaert
authors.affiliation: KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, UPC KU Leuven, Campus Kortenberg, Z.org KU Leuven, Kortenberg, Belgium.
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wyckaert
authors.affiliation: KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Amber
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Herdt
authors.affiliation: KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, UPC KU Leuven, Campus Kortenberg, Z.org KU Leuven, Kortenberg, Belgium.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Hert
authors.affiliation: KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Probst
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D001530:Belgium; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000523:psychology; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016138:Walking / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Bipolar disorder; Mood; Physical activity; Physical fitness