Comparison of the 1-minute sit-to-stand test with the 6- minutes walk test for the evaluation of the functional status of post-COVID-19 patients

ABSTRACT

The assessment of functional capacity in severe post-COVID-19 patients, after hospitalization, is essential for estimating functional consequences, disability and exertional desaturation. To date, the 6-minutes walk test (6WMT) and the 1-minute sit-to-stand test (1STST) have been the most commonly used tests. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship and discuss the utility of the 1STST compared to the 6MWT for follow-up evaluation of the functional status of severe post-COVID-19 patients. A cross-sectional study was performed in a post-COVID-19 public care clinic. A total of 55 patients (mean age 57.85, SD 12.65) were evaluated. Functional performance was evaluated by 1STST and 6MWT. Both tests were performed 6 months after hospital discharge, on the same day, 1 hour apart. During the tests, the severity of dyspnea (by Modified Borg Scale), heart rate and pulse oxygen saturation (by pulse oximeter) were measured. A significant positive correlation was observed between 1STST and 6MWT (r = 0.30, p =. 026, 95% CI = [0.04, 0.53]). The correlation coefficient between the two tests was 0.30, indicating a moderate effect size. Also, the differences on the severity of dyspnea, heart rate and pulsed oxygen saturation between the two tests were not statistically significant (p =. 061;p =. 169;p =. 965). The 6MWT requires technical execution conditions that are not always easy to meet. Considering the statistically significant relationship between the 1STST and 6MWT, the 1STST may be used for a quick and alternative measurement of the functional assessment in post-COVID-19 patients.