Zeitschrift für Adipositas- und Gewichtsverlusttherapie

Abstrakt

The 2-Minute Walk Test cannot be used as an Alternative to the 6-Minute Walk Test in Individuals with Class III Obesity

Sarah Feola

Introduction: The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) is a submaximal exercise test used to assess functional capacity and treatment response. The 6MWT can be lengthy and difficult for some. Thus, in certain cases, a 2-minute walk test (2MWT) has been used instead. We sought to determine if the 2MWT was an effective alternative to the 6MWT in class III obesity.

Methods: Eighteen participants (n=12 female) with class III obesity (BMI ≥40kg/m2) were asked to walk the longest distance possible for 6 minutes. Distance was recorded at the 2-and 6-minute marks. Descriptive statistics were provided in mean± standard deviation. A Bland-Altman plot compared the two walk tests (6MWT vs. 3x2MWT).

Results: The average distance of the 6MWT and 3x2MWT were 478±59 m and 499±62 m, respectively. The Bland- Altman plot showed discrepancies up to 109m between the 6MWT and 3 x 2MWT. The Bland-Altman plot also showed a clinically significant mean difference of -22 m. There was a strong correlation (r=0.89) between the two tests.

Conclusion: The 2MWT overestimated the distance walked in patients with class III obesity when compared to the 6MWT. While sample size is small, the lack of agreement between the 2MWT and 6MWT may indicate that the tests should not be used interchangeably.