PLoS ONE (Jan 2022)

Comparison between 20 and 30 meters in walkway length affecting the 6-minute walk test in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A randomized crossover study.

  • Narongkorn Saiphoklang,
  • Apiwat Pugongchai,
  • Kanyada Leelasittikul

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0262238
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 17, no. 1
p. e0262238

Abstract

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BackgroundA 30-m walkway length for the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) is the standard recommendation established by the American Thoracic Society to assess patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study aimed to compare between the distances of 20 and 30 m long corridor affecting 6MWT in COPD patients.MethodsA randomized crossover study was conducted with patients. COPD patients were randomized 1:1 to either a 20-m or a 30-m walkway in the first test, then switched to the other in the second test. Physiologic parameters and 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) were recorded.ResultsFifty subjects (92% men) were included: age 69.1±7.4 years, body mass index 22.9±5.5 kg/m2, FEV1 63.0±21.3%, and 50% having cardiovascular disease. The 6MWD in a 20-m and a 30-m walkway were 337.82±71.80 m and 359.85±77.25 m, respectively (PConclusionsThe walkway length had significant effect on walking distance in COPD patients. A 30-m walkway length should still be recommended in 6MWT for COPD assessment.Clinical trial registrationClinicaltrials.in.th number: TCTR20200206003.