Abstract
Introduction: The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) has been used to evaluate functional capacity pre-and post-intervention in children with cerebral palsy (CP). However, studies about its reproducibility are scarce.Furthermore, the shuttle walk test (SWT) has never been described in CP.
Objetives: To investigate the reproducibility of the 6MWT and SWT in children with CP having different Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels (I to III) and to examine the relationship between the distance walked in both tests with the Functional Mobility Scale (FMS).
Methods: 30 children (7.5 ± 2.9 yrs) were randomized to perform two 6MWT and two ISWT on different days.A rest of 30 minutes was given between the tests. Both walking tests were carried out according to the recommendations of the ATS/ERS.
Results: The distance walked in the first and the second 6MWT were not significantly different (353.08±131.94 vs. 343.60±129.54 meters, respectively;p=0.63) and were significantly correlated (r=0.97;p=0.0001).The distance walked in the first and the second SWT were not significant different (196.93±114.39 vs. 193.59±106.62 meters, respectively;p=0.39) and were significantly correlated (r=0.97; p=0.0001). Both walk tests demonstrated identical high test-retest reliability for distance walked (intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC = 0.98). Significant positive correlations were observed between FMS and 6MWT (r = 0.68,p = 0.01) and SWT (r = 0.64, p = 0.01) as well as a significant negative correlation between FMS and GMFCS were observed (r = -0.90,p = 0.01).
Conclusion: Field walking tests are reproducible, and are representative measures of the functional status in children with CP.
- Copyright ©the authors 2016
