Abstract
Introduction: The ERS/ATS technical standards on field walking tests (2014) suggest to continuously measure oxygen saturation (SpO2) during a six-minute walk test (6MWT), while walking behind the patient. However, its impact on walking distance remains unclear.
Methods: We conducted a randomized cross-over study to evaluate the impact of walking walking behind the patient during the 6MWT vs. standing aside. At the end of a pulmonary rehabilitation programme, each patient performed two 6MWTs in random order and separated by 30min’s rest.
Results: 49 COPD patients (GOLD II-IV) were included. In a regression model adjusting for patient and period, walking behind the patient during the 6MWT resulted in a lower walking distance (mean difference -9.1 m, [95%CI, -13.9 to -4.3], p<0.001). No difference between the two experimental conditions was observed in end-exercise SpO2. Notably, 5 patients (~10%) walked more than 30m further (minimal important difference, MID) when walking alone (see figure).
Method: Although we observed highly statistically significant differences between the two experimental conditions on a study population level, the observations may not be considered clinically relevant given the well-established MID of 30m in COPD. However, for individual patients, unaccompanied walking results in a substantially higher walking distance.
Footnotes
Cite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2020; 56: Suppl. 64, 953.
This abstract was presented at the 2020 ERS International Congress, in session “Respiratory viruses in the "pre COVID-19" era”.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2020
