title: Test-retest study of the six-minute walk test in people with bipolar disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The multidisciplinary care for bipolar disorder is highly fragmented with limited opportunities for prevention and treatment of medical co-morbidities. We examined the reliability of the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Secondary aims were to assess minimal detectable changes (MDC(95)), practice effects and the impact of clinical conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two 6MWTs were administered within 3 days to 46 (23♂) inpatients with a DSM-V diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Physical complaints before and after the 6MWT were recorded. Patients completed the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology Self Report (QIDS-SR) and Hypomania Check List-32.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients walked 594.7±121.3 meters and 600.0±122.9 meters at the first and second test. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.98 (95% confidence interval 0.97-0.99). The MDC(95) was 37.8 meters for men and 52.9 meters for women. No practice effect was detected. Longer illness duration, higher QIDS-SR scores and the presence of feet or ankle static problems or pain were independently related to shorter 6MWT distance accounting for 59.8% of the variance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 6MWT is a clinically feasible tool for evaluating the functional exercise capacity in patients with bipolar disorder. Health care professionals should consider depression and physical pain when developing rehabilitation programmes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Leuvensesteenweg 517, B-3070 Kortenberg, Belgium, Davy.Vancampfort@uc-kortenberg.be.
authors.forename: Davy
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vancampfort
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wyckaert
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sienaert
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Hert
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Soundy
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rosenbaum
authors.forename: Justin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Probst
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*