Kinematic evaluation of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease during the 6-min walk test. (July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Saraiva, Nathália Alves Oliveira; Ferreira, Arthur Sá; Papathanasiou, Jannis Vasileios; Guimarães, Fernando Silva; Lopes, Agnaldo José
• Is Part Of: Journal of bodywork and movement therapies. Volume 27(2021)
• Page Start: 134
• Page End: 140
• Publication Date: 2021-07
• Subjects: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease -- Gait -- 6-min walk test -- Kinematic analysis; Massage -- Periodicals; Exercise therapy -- Periodicals; Manipulation (Therapeutics) -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 615.82
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2021.01.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1360-8592

Abstract

Abstract: Background: A better understanding of gait kinematics during the 6-min walk test (6MWT) may facilitate the development of rehabilitation strategies for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Aim: To evaluate gait kinematics during the 6MWT in patients with COPD. Method: Thirty-six patients with COPD and 19 healthy controls underwent a full-body kinematic analysis during the 6MWT. Data were collected using a system with four infrared cameras to capture the movement of a spherical marker covered with retroreflective tape attached to a helmet worn during the test. Results: The walking distances measured by the assessor and by kinematics analysis were lower in the group of patients ( P = 0.036 and P = 0.013, respectively). Moreover, the walking distances measured by kinematics analysis were greater than those measured by the assessor for both groups ( P < 0.001). In the kinematics analysis of the complete test, the mean and maximum speeds were higher for the controls than for the patients ( P = 0.007 and P = 0.044, respectively). In the half-turn analysis, acceleration, speed, and deceleration peaks (maximal absolute values) were lower for the patients than for the controls ( P = 0.002, P = 0.012 and P = 0.006, respectively). Conclusions: Patients with COPD show worse functional capacity due to lower gait speed and acceleration-deceleration peaks after turnings as compared to healthy individuals during the 6MWT. Assessors can accurately predict the 6MWD measured by kinematics, though they underestimate this distance.