The Effects of Guarding on the Outcomes of the Six Minute Walk Test
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
This study was designed to determine if walking with a healthy individual during the 6 minute walk test significantly influenced the outcome of the test.
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
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Detailed Description
Introduction: The American Thoracic Society recommends not walking with the patient or client during the Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT). However, this recommendation raises safety concerns for individuals at increased risk of falls. Given the recommendations and concerns, the effects of guarding during the 6MWT has not been investigated. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if guarding during the 6MWT affected gait speed and distance walked. Methods: Participants were randomized into a 'guarded first' vs 'guarded second' condition. Data were analyzed using a one-sample t-test, Pearson Correlation Coefficients, Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC), and Bland Altman plots to assess differences and relationships for gait speed and distance walked between the guarded and unguarded trials.
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| Healthy younger All participants between 18 and 65 years of age that completed the test |
Diagnostic Test: Six Minute Walk Test
The patients walked as far as possible for 6 minutes--over two separate trials. In one trial, an examiner walked with the participant. In the second trial, the participant walked independently. A paired T test was performed to see if there was a significant difference in the distance walked or gait speed between the trials.
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| Healthy older All participants > 65 years of age that completed the test |
Diagnostic Test: Six Minute Walk Test
The patients walked as far as possible for 6 minutes--over two separate trials. In one trial, an examiner walked with the participant. In the second trial, the participant walked independently. A paired T test was performed to see if there was a significant difference in the distance walked or gait speed between the trials.
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Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Distance Walked [6 Minutes]
How far the patient was able to ambulate
- Gait Speed [6 Minutes]
How fast the patient was able to ambulate
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
Young Group
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Between 18 and 50 years of age
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Independent with ambulation such that no physical assistance was required during the 6MWT
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No pertinent acute or chronic medical conditions.
Older adult group
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50 years of age or older Ambulatory without requiring physical assistance Intact cognition as determined by achieving a score of 24 on the Mini Mental Status Exam
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Stable balance by scoring a minimum of 18cm (7 inches) on the Functional Reach Test
Exclusion Criteria:
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All Participants:
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Unstable angina
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History of myocardial infarction 30 days prior to the study
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Resting heart rate greater than 120 beats per minute
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Resting systolic blood pressure greater than 180 mmHg
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Resting diastolic blood pressure greater than 100 mmHg
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Symptoms were reported or observed that were consistent with low blood pressure
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Recent injury, surgery or medical procedure.
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Older Participants:
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Functional Reach Test (<18cm or 7 inches)
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Mini Mental Exam (score < 24).
Contacts and Locations
Locations
| Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Widener University | Chester | Pennsylvania | United States | 19013 |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- Concordia University, St. Paul
Investigators
None specified.Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
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- Bland JM, Altman DG. Agreement between methods of measurement with multiple observations per individual. J Biopharm Stat. 2007;17(4):571-82.
- Bohannon RW, Crouch R. Minimal clinically important difference for change in 6-minute walk test distance of adults with pathology: a systematic review. J Eval Clin Pract. 2017 Apr;23(2):377-381. doi: 10.1111/jep.12629. Epub 2016 Sep 4. Review.
- Bohannon RW. Comfortable and maximum walking speed of adults aged 20-79 years: reference values and determinants. Age Ageing. 1997 Jan;26(1):15-9.
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- Lederer DJ, Arcasoy SM, Wilt JS, D'Ovidio F, Sonett JR, Kawut SM. Six-minute-walk distance predicts waiting list survival in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2006 Sep 15;174(6):659-64. Epub 2006 Jun 15.
- Smith MD, Chang AT, Seale HE, Walsh JR, Hodges PW. Balance is impaired in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Gait Posture. 2010 Apr;31(4):456-60. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2010.01.022. Epub 2010 Mar 4.
- Steffen TM, Hacker TA, Mollinger L. Age- and gender-related test performance in community-dwelling elderly people: Six-Minute Walk Test, Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up & Go Test, and gait speeds. Phys Ther. 2002 Feb;82(2):128-37.
- Stevens D, Elpern E, Sharma K, Szidon P, Ankin M, Kesten S. Comparison of hallway and treadmill six-minute walk tests. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 1999 Nov;160(5 Pt 1):1540-3.
- VanWagner LB, Uttal S, Lapin B, Lee J, Jichlinski A, Subramanian T, Heldman M, Poole B, Bustamante E, Gunasekaran S, Tapia CS, Veerappan A, Wong SY, Levitsky J. Use of Six-Minute Walk Test to Measure Functional Capacity After Liver Transplantation. Phys Ther. 2016 Sep;96(9):1456-67. doi: 10.2522/ptj.20150376. Epub 2016 Apr 7.
- Wise RA, Brown CD. Minimal clinically important differences in the six-minute walk test and the incremental shuttle walking test. COPD. 2005 Mar;2(1):125-9. Review.
- ConcordiaUStPau