Use of the six-minute walk test poststroke: Is there a practice effect?

Objectives: To determine whether it practice effect Occurs across 2 trial of the six-minute walk test (6MWT) among community-dwelling people within I year poststroke and to identify characteristics distinguishing people who show a practice effect front those who do not. Design: Secondary analysis of scores on 2 trials of the 6MWT administered approximately 30 minutes apart at baseline in a randomized controlled trial. Setting: General community. Participants: People (N=91) living in the Community With a residual walking, deficit within the first year of a first oil recurrent stroke. Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measure: Distance walked on the 6MWT. Results: Mean 6MWT scores +/- SD for trials 1 and 2 were 196 +/- 119m and 197 +/- 126m, respectively (n=83). The mean difference in 6MWT performance across trials was, 0 +/- 35m (95% confidence interval [CI], -7 to 8m). The Pearson correlation coefficient between 6MWT distances was.96 (P<.001.), and the intraclass correlation coefficient was .98 (95% Cl,.97-.99). The Bland-Altman plot showed no clear pattern. participants whose improvement was equal to or greater than the minimal detectable change of 29m between trials ( 14%) did not significantly differ from those in the rest of the study sample, however, they tended to be younger (P=.05) and more likely to have a mild or moderate gait deficit (P=.06). Conclusions: Findings do not Support a practice effect across 2 trials of the 6MWT in individuals, within 1 year poststroke. Thus. a practice walk does not appear necessary. Further research is recommended to evaluate the influence of young age. acute stroke, and mild-to-moderate gait deficit on practice effects.