Confirming a beneficial effect of the six-minute walk test on exercise confidence in patients with heart failure. (1st February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Toukhsati, S R; Mathews, S; Sheed, A; Freijah, I; Moncur, L; Cropper, P; Ha, F J; Hare, D L
• Is Part Of: European journal of cardiovascular nursing. Volume 19:Number 2(2020)
• Page Start: 165
• Page End: 171
• Publication Date: 2020-02-01
• Subjects: Heart failure -- exercise -- confidence -- self-efficacy -- six-minute walk test; Cardiovascular system -- Diseases -- Nursing -- Periodicals; Cardiovascular Diseases -- nursing -- Periodicals; Cardiology -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Periodicals; Vascular Diseases -- Periodicals; 610.7369105
• DOI: 10.1177/1474515119876784
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1474-5151

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Low confidence to exercise is a barrier to engaging in exercise in heart failure patients. Participating in low to moderate intensity exercise, such as the six-minute walk test, may increase exercise confidence. Aim: To compare the effects of a six-minute walk test with an educational control condition on exercise confidence in heart failure patients. Methods: This was a prospective, quasi-experimental design whereby consecutive adult patients attending an out-patient heart failure clinic completed the Exercise Confidence Scale prior to and following involvement in the six-minute walk test or an educational control condition. Results: Using a matched pairs, mixed model design ( n =60; 87% male; Mage =58.87±13.16), we identified a significantly greater improvement in Total exercise confidence ( F (1, 54)=4.63, p =0.036, partial η 2= 0.079) and Running confidence ( F (1, 57)=4.21, p =0. 045, partial η 2= 0.069) following the six-minute walk test compared to the educational control condition. These benefits were also observed after adjustment for age, gender, functional class and depression. Conclusion: Heart failure patients who completed a six-minute walk test reported greater improvement in exercise confidence than those who read an educational booklet for 10 min. The findings suggest that the six-minute walk test may be used as a clinical tool to improve exercise confidence. Future research should test these results under randomized conditions and examine whether improvements in exercise confidence translate to greater engagement in exercise behavior.