In-Person Versus Remote 6-Minute Walk and Incremental Shuttle Walk Distances in Advanced Lung Disease.

backgroundField-based walk tests conducted remotely may provide an alternative method to a facility-based assessment of exercise capacity for people with advanced lung disease. This prospective study evaluated the level of agreement in the distance walked between a 6-min walk test (6MWT) and an incremental shuttle walk test performed by using standard in-person procedures and test variations and settings.

methodsAdults with advanced lung disease underwent 4 study visits: (i) one in-person standard 6MWT (30-m corridor) and one in-person treadmill 6MWT, (ii) a remote 6MWT in a home setting (10-m corridor), (iii) 2 in-person standard incremental shuttle walk tests (10-m corridor), and (iv) a remote incremental shuttle walk test in a home setting (10-m corridor). A medical-grade oximeter measured heart rate and oxygen saturation before, during, and for 2 min after the tests.

resultsTwenty-eight participants were included (23 men [82%]; 64 (57-67) y old; 19 with interstitial lung disease [68%] and 9 with COPD [32%]; and 26 used supplemental oxygen (93%) [exertional [Formula: see text] of 0.46 ± 0.1]). There was no agreement between the tests. Greater walking distances were achieved with standard testing procedures: in-person 6MWT versus treadmill 6MWT (355 ± 68 vs

conclusionsDifferences in the distance walked may have resulted from different track lengths, widths, and walking surfaces. This should be considered in test interpretation if tests are repeated under different conditions.