title: Two- and 6-minute walk tests assess walking capability equally in neuromuscular diseases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This methodologic study investigates if the 2-minute walk test (2MWT) can be a valid alternative to the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) to describe walking capability in patients with neuromuscular diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients (n = 115) with different neuromuscular diseases were invited to participate on 2 test days, each consisting of 1 2MWT and 1 6MWT separated by a minimum 30-minute period of rest. The order of the walk tests was randomly assigned via sealed envelopes. A group of 38 healthy controls completed 1 6MWT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean walking distance for the 2MWT was 142.8 meters and for the 6MWT 405.3 meters. The distance walked in the 2MWT was highly correlated to the distance walked in the 6MWT (r = 0.99, p < 0.001). There was a significant decrease in walking speed from the first to last minute in the 6MWT, both among patients and healthy controls, which was not evident in the 2MWT. Results were consistent across diagnoses and levels of disease severity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 2MWT is a potential alternative to the 6MWT to describe walking capability among patients with neuromuscular diseases during clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: From the Copenhagen Neuromuscular Center, Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. linda.kahr.andersen@regionh.dk.
authors.forename: Linda Kahr
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.affiliation: From the Copenhagen Neuromuscular Center, Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Kirsten Lykke
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Knak
authors.affiliation: From the Copenhagen Neuromuscular Center, Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Nanna
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Witting
authors.affiliation: From the Copenhagen Neuromuscular Center, Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vissing
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology* / Q000592:standards*; D055815:Young Adult