Key result
A 15-m 6MWT reliably mirrors the standard 30-m test distance in subacute stroke patients.
Why the study?
Does the 15-m version of the 6-min walk test provide reliable and valid assessment of walking capacity compared to the standard 30-m version in patients with subacute stroke?
Observational (n=29)
Does the 15-m version of the 6-min walk test provide reliable and valid assessment of walking capacity compared to the standard 30-m version in patients with subacute stroke?
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
The 15-m version of the 6-minute walk test is a reliable and valid alternative to the standard 30-m version for assessing walking capacity in patients with subacute stroke in space-limited settings.
The 6-min walk test (6MWT) is used to assess gait capacity in patients with stroke; however, the standard 30-m version (6MWT-30 m) is often impractical in clinical settings because of space limitations. We investigated the validity and reliability of a 15-m version (6MWT-15 m) in 29 individuals with subacute stroke. Test-retest reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), minimal detectable change (MDC), and Bland-Altman analysis. Validity was evaluated through correlations with the 10-m walk test (10mWT), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and Fugl-Meyer Assessment for the Lower Extremities (FMA-LE). The 6MWT-15 m demonstrated excellent reliability (ICC = 0.997) and acceptable measurement error (MDC = 19.5 m), with strong correlations with the 10mWT, BBS, FMA-LE, and 6MWT-30 m, supporting its validity. Regression analysis identified the 6MWT-15 m as the sole significant predictor of 6MWT-30 m ( R2 = 0.98) walking distance. These findings support the 6MWT-15 m as a reliable, valid, and practical alternative for assessing walking capacity in patients suffering from subacute stroke, particularly in space-limited clinical settings.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
An et al. (2025) conducted an observational in subacute stroke (n=29). 15-m version of the 6-min walk test (6MWT-15 m) vs. Standard 30-m version (6MWT-30 m) was evaluated on Test-retest reliability and validity (ICC 0.997). The 15-m 6-min walk test demonstrated excellent reliability (ICC = 0.997) and was a significant predictor of the standard 30-m test distance (R2 = 0.98) in patients with subacute stroke.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: