Repeated Use of 6-min Walk Test with Immediate Knowledge of Results for Walking Capacity in Chronic Stroke: Clinical Trial of Fast versus Slow Walkers

Aim: This study aimed to determine the effects of repeated use of the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) with immediate knowledge of results (KR) on the walking capacity by comparing fast and slow walkers in patients with chronic hemiparesis. Methods: Twenty-five subjects were allocated to 2 groups depending on their walking speed¹: Group 1 (fast walkers, n₁ = 11): greater than equal to .8 m/s and² Group 2 (slow walkers, n₂ = 14): less than .8 m/s. All subjects underwent the 6MWT once a day, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks (a total of 20 sessions). The 6MWT was performed on a 30-m path with immediate KR; subjects informed the time taken to walk each 30-m path. Outcome measures included the 6MWT and 10-meter walk test (10MWT). Measurements were taken before and after 4 weeks. Results of within-group comparisons showed significant improvements in the 10MWT and 6MWT for both groups pre- and post-test (P < .05). Furthermore, in between-group comparison, results of Group 1 differences were greater between pre- and post-test in the 10MWT and 6MWT values as compared to Group 2 (P < .05). These findings indicate that repeated use of the 6MWT with immediate KR may be beneficial to enhance walking capacity in patients with chronic stroke, with more favorable changes in better poststroke walking speed.