Does Shuttle Walk Test Induce a Greater Physiological Response Compared to Six Minute Walk Test in COPD Patients?

Exercise intolerance in COPD patients has important implications on health related quality of life. The 6-min walk test (6MWT) has been widely used and accepted as a simple, cost-effective means of clinically assessing the functional status of patients with cardiopulmonary diseases. Incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) an externally paced has recently been of interest in testing of exercise capacity. Hence the objective was to compare the physiological response to Incremental Shuttle Walk Test and Six Minute Walk Test in patients with COPD. A Cross over study was designed with sample size of 30 stable COPD patients, with moderate obstruction in the age group of 30 to 60 years. Each patient was subjected to both six minute walk test and incremental shuttle walk test following a practice session. Pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate, arterial oxygen saturation, and the perceived exertion in each of the tests were compared. Results: The mean distance walked on 6MWT was 463 mtrs and mean level of shuttles covered on ISWT were 36+/-7. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean peak cardio-respiratory values, between 6MWT and ISWT in COPD patients. Conclusion: The 6MWT and ISWT upto level six induce a similar cardio-respiratory response in COPD patients.