Exploring differences between resters and non-resters in the six-minute walk test

Affiliated institutions include: Toronto Rehabilitation Institute (K. Sibley), University of Toronto (D. Brooks) West Park Healthcare Centre (K. Hill)Purpose: To examine differences in clinical characteristics, functional exercise capacity, and lung function measures, between people with lung disease who rest ( resters ) and who do not ( non-resters ) in the six-minute walk test (6MWT). To evaluate the magnitude of change in six-minute walking distance (6MWD) and walking speed between these groups following pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on PR patients. Primary outcomes were pre- and post-PR: (i) 6MWD, (ii) rest frequency, (iii) rest duration, (iv) walking speed, (v) dyspnea, (vi) leg fatigue. Secondary outcomes included: (i) Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire, (ii) Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, (iii) BODE index, (iv) demographics/anthropometrics, (v) lung function values. Results: Data was extracted from 212 patients (45 resters, 167 non-resters). Pre-PR, resters had significantly shorter 6MWD, lower CRQ mastery scores, and higher BODE indexes than non-resters (all p<0.01). Post-PR, resters improved their 6MWD (p<0.001) while reducing rest frequency, rest duration, and dyspnea (all p<0.05). The magnitude of change in 6MWD did not differ between groups (resters, 58.4+71.6m; non-resters, 50.8+57.9m; p=0.51); however, change in walking speed was greater in non-resters (resters, -0.06+0.41m/s; non-resters, 0.15+0.16m/s; p