Abstract
Introduction: The 6MWT evaluates exercise tolerance and functional capacity. It was demonstrated that the encouragements influence the walked distance and that the music improve dyspnea. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different distractive auditory stimuli on the 6MWT in COPD patients.
Method: 11 COPD patients (FEV1 = 39.1 ± 7.6% of predicted values) performed randomly the same day a walking test in 3 different conditions: without music (WM), with a slow music (SM) and with a fast music (FM). The 6MWD, the cardio-respiratory parameters and the dyspnea were measured.
Results: No difference was observed on the walking distance depending on the conditions (WM: 350 m - SM: 366 m - FM: 358; p=0.924). Cardio-respiratory parameters and dyspnea were not influenced by the kind of distractive auditory stimulus.
Conclusion: In this sample of COPD patients, a distractive auditory stimulus did not modify the results of the 6MWT. The tempo of the listened music is not influent.
- © 2013 ERS
