Six Minute Walk Test

What Is A Six Minute Walk Test?

or 6MWT is designed to measure the distance that an individual can walk in six minutes. This assessment tool is used to observe the examinee's exercise tolerance or fitness and reveal any conditions in various systems. It may, for example, provide more information about the tester's pulmonary and cardiovascular systems, physical fitness, circulatory system, nerve and muscle units, metabolic health, and peripheral circulation.

6MWT is a low-risk medical exam. While the test is being performed, medical assistance is readily available.

6MWT must be performed with an observer and indoors, along a long, level, enclosed hallway on a firm surface with little traffic. If the weather permits, the evaluation may take place outside. The walking path must be at least 30 meters long.

As a result, a 100-foot hallway is required. Markers should be placed every 3 meters along the corridor's length. It is recommended to use a cone (such as an orange traffic cone) to mark the turnaround points. Each 60-meter lap should begin with a starting line marked on the floor with contrastingly colored tape.

The following may be required to conduct the assessment:

• Stopwatch
• Measuring instrument (meters)
• A 30-meter hallway with little traffic
• Two cones to indicate the distance to be traveled or any markings

Optional equipment:

• Heart rate and SpO2 are measured using a pulse oximeter
• Borg Scale of Breathlessness

It is important to note that you can eat a light meal prior to your test and take your usual medications. However, do not exercise within two hours of testing. It is also recommended that you avoid wearing restrictive clothing, drinking, smoking, or eating a heavy meal. You might also wear clothes and shoes that are comfortable to you, and you can use walking aids such as a cane or walker.

During the test, blood pressure, pulse, and oxygen levels will be measured before you start walking. You are then instructed to walk as far as possible for six minutes at a normal pace and then turn around. The test means that you walk back and forth for six minutes. If you experience any chest pain or breathing difficulties, it is important to let the tester know. You may also slow down, rest, or stop. Within every minute interval, you will be given an update. It is important to note that this is a low-risk evaluation and easy to carry out.

The healthy range is typically 400 to 700 meters. However, this can be influenced by many factors, such as age, sex, and other health conditions. The higher a person's score, the better the exercise tolerance. This means that a low score is typically associated with a lower function.

How To Use This Six Minute Walk Test?

Step One: Download the Template

You can save the free PDF template to your device or access it from the Carepatron template library, which gives you more design and content options.

Step Two: Gather Patient Data & Vitals

Record the necessary patient information for identification. Then begin taking vital signs and recording them on the template for a quick assessment of the patient's overall health.

Step Three: Fill out the form

Document all the data from the observation. Ensure that the information is accurate based on the assessment conducted.

Step Four: Secure the data

Once everything has been properly recorded, you should keep this document organized and secure. Treat this document with care and professionalism due to the patient's confidentiality and the importance of the information contained within it.

When Would You Typically Use This Six Minute Walk Test?

There are various ailments that the 6MWT help in assessing an individual’s condition. Initially, this test was to measure or screen the heart and lung condition of the examinees. Over time, doctors use this test to examine more conditions like the following:

• Arthritis
• Stroke Rehabilitation
• Spine Injury
• Joint Conditions/Injuries
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Pain Management
• Neurologic Rehabilitation

The 6MWT has also been used to detect changes in exercise tolerance following interventions in healthy older adults as well as people with rheumatic conditions such as knee or hip osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia. The 6MWT has been used in the treatment of a number of other conditions, including heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and stroke. It has also been used to forecast hospitalizations and deaths.

Who Can Use these Printable Six Minute Walk Tests?

This Six Minute Walk Test serves a lot of healthcare professionals because of the variety of purposes which evolves over time. Primarily, this assessment was for practitioners who specialize in Heart and Lung conditions to measure the functionality and tolerance in an individual.

Since it has evolved into a tool for Physical Therapy and Fitness, it serves all other professionals too. Although there is a wide use for this tool, it can only be used by specialists who have been medically trained as the sections would need expertise in measuring particular vitals and in the utilization of medical equipment.

The listed professionals below are the potentials users of this test:

• Physical Therapists
• Physiotherapists
• Recreational Physical Therapists
• General Health Practitioners
• Physicians
• Sports or Fitness Clinicians
• Cardiologists
• Pulmonologists

Why Is This Assessment Popular With Physical Therapists?

In the past, Physical Therapists would conduct several methods for objectively assessing functional exercise capacity. Some of these methods provide a comprehensive assessment of all systems involved in exercise performance (high tech), whereas others provide basic information but are low tech and easier to perform.

The modality that is employed must be determined by the clinical question to be addressed as well as the available resources. One of the most common modalities is the Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT) is a common outcome measurement tool used in physical therapy to determine basic exercise endurance and functional fitness.

Here are the common reasons why Physical Therapists would opt for 6MWT:

• To aid in goal-setting
• As a method of providing motivation
• To aid in treatment planning
• To provide an outlook on the specific condition
• To provide support for treatment

Benefits Of Free Six-Minute Walk Test

Develops Robust Functional Outcome Measurement

Numerous more metrics may be used by your physical therapist to evaluate your physical treatment progress. Your strength and range of motion are measured. Furthermore, posture and balance can be evaluated. Functional outcome measurements, however, are equally crucial for monitoring your physical therapy progress.

Improves Monitoring Process

Any workout that tests your body's capacity for sustained movement and exercise will help you do better on the 6MWT. And of all of these, walking is probably the greatest option. Why? As the 6MWT requires walking, increasing your walking tolerance through training will probably help you perform better on the test.

Accessible Instrument

This template is made to be very easy to use. It helps increase the time in focusing on the actual progress of the patient than researching how to reproduce a 6MWT Test or create one manually.

Inexpensive

One of Carepatron’s aims is to make medical or clinical documentation accessible and free of charge. This template can be downloaded for free, making it easier for healthcare practitioners to deliver quality care services to patients in need.