Thoughts on the 6-Minute Walk Test

82%

of respondents said they have completed a 6-Minute Walk Test at their specialist hospital. 72% have completed one in the 12 months between March 2021 and March 2022.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic:

47%

completed it twice a year

20%

completed it once a year

11%

completed it three times a year

22%

completed it four times a year

98%said they understood why they were asked to complete a 6-Minute Walk Test.

Respondents were asked to explain how they usually feel after completing a 6-Minute Walk Test. Responses included: “Breathless, but fine after a few minutes” “Fine” “Good” “Tired and legs ache” “Breathless and a little fatigued” “Tired and accomplished” “Fast pounding heart” “Exhausted, breathless, light-headed”

61%said they felt the results reflected how they feel.

Additional comments included: “It doesn’t reflect everyday activities” “Walking on the flat indoors for 6 minutes does not compare with walking outside on uneven and hilly ground” “I struggle with everyday tasks but [this is] not reflected in the walk test” “I walk fairly well indoors in a walk test but this does not reflect how I walk outside in real life” 81%of respondents said that if they were trained to measure distance using an app on a smartphone or digital device, they would feel able to complete a 6-Minute Walk Test outside their house.

“Biggest problem would be getting to a flat area to do the walk test” “I’ve been doing 6MWTs regularly at home during the pandemic and passing that info to my team at online or face to face clinic appointments” “It’s very hilly but I could drive to the park where it’s flat.”

88%said they have a safe, flat and fairly straight surface they could walk on outside their home.

Respondents were asked if anything would concern them about doing a 6-Minute Walk Test outside their home in their local community. Answers included: “Interruptions from other people whilst outside” “Not a lot of open spaces and my back garden isn’t big enough” “In case I felt ill doing it” “Finding somewhere accessible that is flat” “People looking at me weird” “Hills/inclines” “Accurately trying to measure the distance” “People watching and not feeling safe doing it”