International Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Open Access
ISSN: 2329-9096
ISSN: 2329-9096
Kirsten Lykke Knak
Copenhagen Neuromuscular Center, Copenhagen
Denmark
Research Article
The 2- and 6-Minute Walk Tests in Neuromuscular Diseases: Effect of Heart
Rate Correction on the Learning Effect
Author(s): Kirsten Lykke Knak, Linda Kahr Andersen, Nanna Witting and John VissingKirsten Lykke Knak, Linda Kahr Andersen, Nanna Witting and John Vissing
Objective: The 2- and 6-minute walk tests are common measures for evaluating walking ability, but reliability is weakened by a well-documented learning effect. Since heart rate is related to workload, any change in walking distance, which is unrelated to change in clinical function, should be reflected in a change in heart rate during walking. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate test-retest reliability of the 2- and 6-minute walk tests with and without heart rate correction.
Methods: Ninety-three adult patients (mean age of 53 years, range; 22-83 years) with 12 different neuromuscular diseases (myotonic dystrophy type 1, limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 1, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, mitochondrial myopathy, Becker muscular dystrophy, spinobulbar muscular atrophy, sporadic inc.. View More»
DOI:
10.4172/2329-9096.1000415