The Six-minute Walk Test (6MWT) for the Evaluation of Pulmonary Diseases

Abstract

The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is a well-tolerated test which reflects daily activities and can be easily used in clinical practice. The 6MWT provides information about functional capacity, response to therapy and prognosis across a range of chronic cardiopulmonary conditions. Moreover, the 6MWT is sensitive to the common therapies used for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, such as pulmonary rehabilitation with supplemental oxygen, long-term use of inhaled corticosteroids and lung volume reduction surgery. Several studies have investigated the role of 6MWT in the evaluation of pulmonary disease and cardiac disorders. This article aimed to review the significance of 6MWT in pulmonary disease

Keywords

• Exercise
• Pulmonary Disease
• Six-Minute Walk Test