Article

OBJECTIVE: To compare walking dynamics and test-retest reliability for 2
frequently applied walk tests in polio survivors: the 6-minute walk test (6MWT)
to walk as far as possible; and the 6-minute walking energy cost test (WECT) at
comfortable speed.
DESIGN: Observational study. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-three polio
survivors, able to walk >/= 150 m. METHODS: On the same day participants
performed a 6MWT and a WECT, which were repeated 1-3 weeks later. For each test,
distance walked, heart rate and reduction in speed were assessed. RESULTS: The
mean distance walked and mean heart rate were significantly higher in the 6MWT
(441 m (standard deviation) (SD 79.7); 118 bpm (SD 19.2)) compared with the WECT
(366 m (SD 67.3); 103 bpm (SD 14.3)); p< 0.001. Furthermore, during the 6MWT,
patients continuously slowed down (-6%), while during the WECT speed dropped only
slightly during the first 2 min, by -1.8% in total. Test-retest reliability of
both tests was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) >/= 0.95;
lower bound 95% confidence interval (95% CI) >/= 0.87). The smallest detectable
change for the walked distance was 42 m (9.7% change from the mean) and 50 m
(13.7%) on the 6MWT and WECT, respectively. CONCLUSION:
Both the 6MWT and the
WECT are reliable to assess walking capacity in polio survivors, with slightly
superior sensitivity to detect change for the 6MWT. Differences in walking
dynamics confirm that the tests cannot be used interchangeably. The 6MWT is
recommended for measuring maximal walking capacity and the WECT for measuring
submaximal walking capacity.

Langue : ANGLAIS