TY - JOUR T1 - Reproducibility and learning effect of the 6-minute walk test in smokers JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 44 IS - Suppl 58 SP - P4288 AU - Andrea Akemi Morita AU - Diego Rodrigues Silva AU - Gianna Waldrich Bisca AU - Mahara Proença AU - Leandro Mantoani AU - Karina Couto Furlanetto AU - Juliana Zabatiero AU - Demetria Kovelis AU - Fabio Pitta Y1 - 2014/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/44/Suppl_58/P4288.abstract N2 - Background: When performing the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) in patients with COPD, two walks are advised and the largest distance is used. However, there is no scientific evidence about the reproducibility and learning effect of the 6MWT in smokers.Aims: To investigate the reproducibility and the presence of learning effect of the 6MWT performed cross-sectionally and longitudinally.Methods: We included 167 smokers with normal spirometry (97men; 48±12years; BMI 26[23;28]kg.m-²; 26[14;43]pack/years; FEV1/FVC 83±7 and FEV1 89[80;97]%pred) who took part in a 5-month program aimed at increasing physical activity by using pedometers and booklets. Two 6MWT per assessment moment (AM) were performed throughout the program (AM1[n=167], AM2[n=81], AM3[n=59], and AM4[n=56]). Assessment moments had an interval of one month between AM1, AM2 and AM3, and three months between AM3 and AM4.Results: Mean distances for the first and second 6MWT were 542±74m and 563±75m (AM1) (p<0.0001); 572±70m and 585±68m (AM2) (p=0.0004); 575[540;625]m and 583[543;632]m (AM3) (p=0.004); and 597±67m and 603±76m (AM4) (p=0.10). When comparing the deltas between test one and test two performed on the four AMs, differences decreased over time: 20[2;43]m (AM1); 11[-2;30]m (AM2); 13[-7;25]m (AM3) and 7[-13;21]m (AM4) (AM1 not statistically different from AM2 and AM3 [p>0.05], but different from AM4 [p=0.002]). The two 6MWT showed very good reproducibility in all four AMs (ICC: AM1=0.92, AM2=0.94, AM3=0.95 and AM4=0.95).Conclusion: Despite the 6MWT presenting high reproducibility, the learning effect was present from the first to the third evaluation in smokers. This highlights the need to perform two 6MWT not only in the first assessment moment. ER -