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Validity of the Six-Minute Walk Test in Cancer Patients
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2013
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Physical ActivityNeuromuscular CoordinationCancer ManagementCancer PatientsExercise OncologyPrehabilitationKinesiologyExercisePhysical ExercisePatient-reported OutcomeApplied PhysiologyClinical ExerciseSix-minute Walk TestCancer ResearchPhysical MedicineHealth SciencesPhysical FitnessMedicineClinical Exercise PhysiologyOutcomes ResearchRehabilitationCancer TreatmentExercise ScienceExercise PhysiologyHuman MovementOncology
The study assessed the validity of the six‑minute walk test in cancer patients. Fifty cancer patients performed a 6‑minute walk test and a cycle‑ergometer spiroergometry to assess VO₂peak, with a subset retesting the walk test within 2–7 days. Patients walked an average of 594 m (≈86 % HRmax) with a VO₂peak of 21.2 ml kg⁻¹ min⁻¹; the walk distance correlated strongly with VO₂peak (r = 0.67) and physical function (r = 0.55), and the test showed excellent reliability (ICC = 0.93, CV = 3 %) and minimal retest bias, indicating that the 6MWT is a valid and reliable measure for cancer patients.
The present study evaluated the validity of the six-minute walk test (6MWT) in cancer patients. 50 subjects (36 f, 14 m; 57.4±10.2 years; during (56%) or off (44%) cancer treatment) performed a 6MWT and a spiroergometry on a cycle ergo-meter (0+25 W, 3 min) to evaluate maximum exercise capacity (VO2peak). A subsample (n=30) completed a retest of the 6MWT within 2-7 days. Patients covered a distance of 594±81 m during 6MWT at an average intensity of 86.3±9.6% of HRmax and achieved a VO2peak of 21.2±4.86 ml · kg - 1 · min - 1 during cycle ergometry. The distance walked correlated significantly (p<0.001) with VO2peak (r=0.67) and perceived physical function (EORTC QLQ-C30 physical function subscale) (r=0.55). Concerning reliability the intraclass correlation coefficient was r=0.93 (95%CI: +0.86;+0.97; p<0.001) and the coefficient of variation 3%. During retest participants walked 3.1% (95%CI: +1.1; +5.2) farther and achieved a higher RPE (+1.0; 95%CI: +0.3;+1.8). Limits of agreement were between - 43.1 and 76.4 m. In cancer patients the 6MWT seems to be as valid and reliable as in healthy elderly, cardiac and pulmonary patients. Thus, it can be recommended for use in cancer patients.