Six‐minute walk test is reliable and valid in spinal muscular atrophy. Issue 5 (13th May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dunaway Young, Sally; Montes, Jacqueline; Kramer, Samantha S.; Marra, Jonathan; Salazar, Rachel; Cruz, Rosangel; Chiriboga, Claudia A.; Garber, Carol Ewing; De Vivo, Darryl C.
• Is Part Of: Muscle & nerve. Volume 54:Issue 5(2016)
• Page Start: 836
• Page End: 842
• Publication Date: 2016-05-13
• Subjects: Six‐Minute Walk Test -- clinical trials -- outcome measure -- reliability -- spinal muscular atrophy -- validation; Neuromuscular diseases -- Periodicals; Muscles -- Periodicals; Nerves -- Periodicals; 616.74
• DOI: 10.1002/mus.25120
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0148-639X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Introduction : The Six‐Minute Walk Test (6MWT) was adopted as a clinical outcome measure for ambulatory spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). However, a systematic review of measurement properties reported significant variation among chronic pediatric conditions. Our purpose was to assess the reliability/validity of the 6MWT in SMA. Methods : Thirty participants performed assessments, including the 6MWT, strength, and function. Reproducibility was evaluated by intraclass correlation coefficients. Criterion/convergent validity were determined using Pearson correlation coefficients. Results : Test–retest reliability was excellent. The 6MWT was associated positively with peak oxygen uptake, Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale Expanded (HFMSE), lower extremity manual muscle testing, knee flexion hand‐held dynamometry, and inversely with 10‐m walk/run. The 6MWT discriminates between disease severity, unlike the HFMSE. Conclusions : This study documents measurement properties of reproducibility, positive criterion validity, and convergent validity with established clinical assessments and reaffirms the value of the 6MWT as a pivotal outcome measure in SMA clinical trials. Muscle Nerve 54 : 836–842, 2016