An Evaluation of Exercise Tolerance in COPD Patients Using Six Minute Walk Test- A prospective study

Functional exercise tolerance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients (COPD) is often assessed by the 6 minute walking test. Impairment of exercise tolerance is an important feature of COPD. Physical deconditioning and impaired lung function are main causes of decreased exercise tolerance. This study explored the evaluation of exercise tolerance in COPD patients using simple six minute walk test.

A prospective 4 week quasi experimental study design.

Institute of Pulmonary medicine and research, Sri Ramakrishna Hospital Coimbatore India

10 patients of moderate and severe cases of COPD were included in the study.

Patients who were admitted in Pulmonology general ward because of acute exacerbations and well responded to medical treatment were screened for Borg Scale Rate of Perceived exertion and Six minute walk test on 3^rd day of hospital stay and the post test measurements were taken at 7^th day. The statistical analysis was done using paired t test at the level of significance á= 0.05

We compared the Borg scale of perceived exertion and six minute walk test on 3^rd day of hospital stay and at 7^th day. The result showed significant improvement in terms of reduced exertional dyspnea and increased six minute walk distance.

In the light of assessing exercise tolerance in COPD patients, it has been concluded that six minute walk test was a useful tool in evaluating exercise tolerance in COPD patients since it was easy to perform and very cost effective.