RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 An official systematic review of the European Respiratory Society/American Thoracic Society: measurement properties of field walking tests in chronic respiratory disease JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP 1447 OP 1478 DO 10.1183/09031936.00150414 VO 44 IS 6 A1 Sally J. Singh A1 Milo A. Puhan A1 Vasileios Andrianopoulos A1 Nidia A. Hernandes A1 Katy E. Mitchell A1 Catherine J. Hill A1 Annemarie L. Lee A1 Carlos Augusto Camillo A1 Thierry Troosters A1 Martijn A. Spruit A1 Brian W. Carlin A1 Jack Wanger A1 Véronique Pepin A1 Didier Saey A1 Fabio Pitta A1 David A. Kaminsky A1 Meredith C. McCormack A1 Neil MacIntyre A1 Bruce H. Culver A1 Frank C. Sciurba A1 Susan M. Revill A1 Veronica Delafosse A1 Anne E. Holland YR 2014 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/44/6/1447.abstract AB This systematic review examined the measurement properties of the 6-min walk test (6MWT), incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) and endurance shuttle walk test (ESWT) in adults with chronic respiratory disease. Studies that report the evaluation or use of the 6MWT, ISWT or ESWT were included. We searched electronic databases for studies published between January 2000 and September 2013. The 6-min walking distance (6MWD) is a reliable measure (intra-class correlation coefficients ranged from 0.82 to 0.99 in seven studies). There is a learning effect, with greater distance walked on the second test (pooled mean improvement of 26 m in 13 studies). Reliability was similar for ISWT and ESWT, with a learning effect also evident for ISWT (pooled mean improvement of 20 m in six studies). The 6MWD correlates more strongly with peak work capacity (r=0.59–0.93) and physical activity (r=0.40–0.85) than with respiratory function (r=0.10–0.59). Methodological factors affecting 6MWD include track length, encouragement, supplemental oxygen and walking aids. Supplemental oxygen also affects ISWT and ESWT performance. Responsiveness was moderate to high for all tests, with greater responsiveness to interventions that included exercise training. The findings of this review demonstrate that the 6MWT, ISWT and ESWT are robust tests of functional exercise capacity in adults with chronic respiratory disease. Systematic review: support for use of the 6MWT, ISWT and ESWT in adults with chronic respiratory disease http://ow.ly/Bq2Mz