Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT)

A Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) is a walking test (on a hard, flat surface) that lasts six minutes.

References

https://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Rheumatologist/Research/Clinician-Researchers/Six-Minute-Walk-Test-SMWT
- QUOTE: ... The six-minute walk test (6MWT) measures the distance an individual is able to walk over a total of six minutes on a hard, flat surface. The goal is for the individual to walk as far as possible in six minutes. The individual is allowed to self-pace and rest as needed as they traverse back and forth along a marked walkway. ...
  ... The original purpose of the six minute walk was to test exercise tolerance in chronic respiratory disease and heart failure. The test has since been used as a performance-based measure of functional exercise capacity in other populations including healthy older adults, people undergoing knee or hip arthroplasty, fibromyalgia, and scleroderma. It has also been used with children.

(Enright, 2003) ⇒ Paul L. Enright. (2003). “The Six-minute Walk Test.” Respiratory care 48, no. 8
- ABSTRACT: The American Thoracic Society has issued guidelines for the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). The 6MWT is safer, easier to administer, better tolerated, and better reflects activities of daily living than other walk tests (such as the shuttle walk test). The primary measurement is 6-min walk distance (6MWD), but during the 6MWT data can also be collected about the patient's blood oxygen saturation and perception of dyspnea during exertion. When conducting the 6MWT do not walk with the patient and do not assist the patient in carrying or pulling his or her supplemental oxygen. The patient should walk alone, not with other patients. Do not use a treadmill on which the patient adjusts the speed and/or the slope. Do not use an oval or circular track. Use standardized phrases while speaking to the patient, because your encouragement and enthusiasm can make a difference of up to 30% in the 6MWD. Count the laps with a lap counter. If the 6MWD is low, thoroughly search for the cause(s) of the impairment. Better 6MWD reference equations will be published in the future, so be sure you are using the best available reference equations.