Characteristics of People With Chronic Lung Disease Who Rest During the Six-Minute Walk Test

Abstract Wong R, Sibley KM, Hudani M, Roeland S, Visconti M, Balsano J, Hill K, Brooks D. Characteristics of people with chronic lung disease who rest during the six-minute walk test. Objectives To examine the incidence of resting during the 6-minute-walk test (6MWT) in patients with chronic lung disease (CLD) and to explore differences in functional exercise capacity and response to pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) between resters and nonresters. Design Retrospective chart review. Setting Inpatient PR program. Participants Individuals (N=211) who performed the 6MWT at admission and discharge from PR. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Primary outcomes were total distance walked (6-minute walk distance [6MWD]) and rest frequency and duration. Secondary outcomes were walking speed, end-test dyspnea, and the Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire (CRQ). Results At admission, 45 people (21%) rested 1 to 4 times during the 6MWT (total duration, 105±80s) and 166 people walked continuously. At discharge, 9 people continued to rest (total duration, 28±55s). At admission, nonresters walked 315±93m, whereas resters walked 197±83m ( P