Application of Six-minute Walk Test in Acute Stroke Patients / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

Objective To apply Six-minute Walk Test (6MWT) in acute stroke patients and analyze the results. Methods From Novem-ber, 2014 to January, 2015, 29 acute stroke patients with multiple or single infarction accepted 6MWT. The distance, distance per minute, blood pressure and heart rate before and after test, adverse events or discomforts during the test were recorded. Weak and fatigue scores were calculated. Results The mean of distance in acute stroke patients was (240.1±17.2) m, that was (46.8±3.3)%of the predicted values in the healthy. Male patients walked (255.4±21.40) m, not different from (214.9±28.4) m in female (t=-1.151, P=0.26). The distance liked to be negatively correlated with age (r=-0.356, P=0.058). The distance was similar in each minute. Weak score was (46.8±3.3)%, fatigue score was mostly between-20 and 20, and no correlation was found between them. Blood pressure and heart rate increased significantly at the end of the test (t>2.476, P<0.05). Few of patients complained mild discomforts. Conclusion 6MWT is safe and suitable for acute stroke patients for physical mobility judgement, but adverse events need to be cared.