AACVPR News & Views - April/May 2015 - 13

INSIDE >> THE INDUSTRY

Pulmonary Point of View
Field Walk Tests: Systematic Review and
Technical Standards Reports
Gerene Bauldoff, PhD, RN, FAACVPR

I

n 2014, the European
Respiratory Society and the
American Thoracic Society
collaborated to conduct a
systematic review and describe
technical standards for field walk
tests in patients with chronic
pulmonary disease. The tests
examined included the six-

papers support the validity and
reliability of the three tests.
Similarities across tests:
* Both the 6MWT and the
ISWT exhibit good test-retest
reliability; however, there is
strong evidence of a learning
effect. Two tests should be
performed when the 6MWT
or ISWT are used to measure

*

*

precautions for field testing
should be consistent with those
used for a CPET.
All three tests have good safety
profiles, with few significant
adverse events during testing
in patients with chronic
respiratory disease.
Supplemental oxygen (carried by
someone other than the

The six minute walk is the most commonly
used test to evaluate program impact and
outcome in PR.
minute walk test (6MWT),
the incremental shuttle walk test
(ISWT) and the endurance shuttle
walk test (ESWT).
Both the systematic review and the
technical standard paper provide
important background information
for commonly used tests in PR and
report a summary of findings. Both

*

change over time. The ESWT
does not appear to require a
second test if performed on the
same day.
The 6MWD and ISWT elicit a
peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak)
that is similar to that during
a cardiopulmonary exercise
test (CPET). As a result,
the contraindications and

*

patient) increases walk
distance in all three tests.
A strong association between
shorter 6MWT and increased
hospitalization risk and mortality
risk in COPD, ILD, pulmonary
hypertension and patients
awaiting lung transplant has
Continued on page 18
News&Views APRIL/MAY 2015 13
AACVPR News & Views - April/May 2015

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