6-Minute Walking Test

The module 6-Minute Walking Test is used to document the results of the 6-minute walking test. The test evaluates the functional reserves and the degree of physical tolerance of patients with chronic heart and lung diseases in their individual daily life as well as it records the course of the disease and the success of therapeutic measures.
The examination ought to be performed according to DZHK-SOP-K-04 .

6 Minuten Gehtest (6MWT)

The 6MWT is a simple test that can be used to evaluate the functional reserves and the degree of physical tolerance of patients with chronic heart and lung diseases in their individual daily life. It is also suitable for recording the course of the disease and the success of therapeutic measures and is performed as standard both in clinic applications and in studies, especially in patients with chronic heart failure or chronic lung diseases.
DZHK-SOP-K-04: 6-minute walking test (6MWT), Version: V1.0, Valid as of: 01.09.2014

Examination details

Was the 6-Minute Walking Test performed?

  Fieldname: gehtest_janein
  Data type: String with following options
    yes
    no
    unknown
    not assessed

Date of examination

  Fieldname: gehtest_date
  Data type: Timestamp with day, month and year

Examiner No.

  Fieldname: gehtest_untnr
  Data type: Integer with maximum 2 digits

Quality level

Level 1: The examination is performed in accordance with the guidelines of the medical associations.

Level 2: The examination is performed in accordance with the specifications of the DZHK SOP. Minimum requirements to ensure the quality of the implementation and the examiners are defined in the SOP.

Level 3: The examination is performed in accordance with the specifications of the DZHK SOP and certification of the examiners: Definition of intr-observer and interobserver-variability (standard of epidemiological studies).

DZHK-SOP-K-04: 6-minute walking test (6MWT), Version: V1.0, Valid as of: 01.09.2014

  Fieldname: gehtest_qualitaet
  Data type: Integer with following options
    1
    2
    3

Examination

Measurement of blood pressure and heart rate after resting period

  Fieldname: gehtest_rr
  Data type: String with following options
    yes, on left side
    yes, on right side
    no
    unknown
    not assessed

Systolic blood pressure

  Fieldname: gehtest_rrsys
  Data type: Integer with maximum 3 digits in mmHg

Diastolic blood pressure

  Fieldname: gehtest_rrdia
  Data type: Integer with maximum 3 digits in mmHg

Heart rate

  Fieldname: gehtest_freq
  Data type: Integer with maximum 3 digits in /min

Walk distance

  Fieldname: gehtest_strecke
  Data type: Integer with maximum 3 digits in m

Borg Scale

It is recommended to preferably use the 6/20 scale for DZHK studies. The variant of the BORG scale to be used has to be stipulated in the study protocol of the respective studies.
Borg Exertion Scale
6 no exertion at all
7 extremely light
8
9 very light
10
11 light
12
13 somewhat hard
14
15 hard (heavy)
16
17 very hard
18
19 extremely hard
20 maximal exertion

Borg Dyspnoea Scale
0 nothing at all
0,5 very, very slight (just noticeable)
1 very slight
2 slight
3 moderate
4 somewhat severe
5 severe
6 severe to very severe
7 very severe
8 very severe to very, very severe
9 very, very severe (almost maximal)
10 maximal dyspnoea
DZHK-SOP-K-04: 6-minute walking test (6MWT), Version: V1.0, Valid as of: 01.09.2014

Borg Exertion Scale
6	no exertion at all
7	extremely light
8
9	very light
10
11	light
12
13	somewhat hard
14
15	hard (heavy)
16
17	very hard
18
19	extremely hard
20	maximal exertion

Borg Dyspnoea Scale
0	nothing at all
0,5	very, very slight (just noticeable)
1	very slight
2	slight
3	moderate
4	somewhat severe
5	severe
6	severe to very severe
7	very severe
8	very severe to very, very severe
9	very, very severe (almost maximal)
10	maximal dyspnoea

BORG scale (before test start)

When the patient stands up to carry out the test, first measure his degree of dyspnoea using the BORG Dyspnoea Scale
DZHK-SOP-K-04: 6-minute walking test (6MWT), Version: V1.0, Valid as of: 01.09.2014

  Fieldname: gehtest_borgvoratem
  Note in CRF: Borg – dyspnoea scale
  Data type: String with following options
    0 - no breathing difficulty at all
    0.5 - very, very slight (just noticeable)
    1 - very slight
    2 - slight
    3 - moderate
    4 - somewhat severe
    5 - severe
    6 - severe to very severe
    7 - very severe
    8 - very severe to very, very severe
    9 - very, very severe (almost maximal)
    10 - maximal breathing difficulty
    unknown
    not assessed

BORG scale (after end of test)

When the six minutes are over, say "Stop" loud and clearly. The examiner then walks to where the patient is standing. If the patient is very exhausted, offer him a chair to sit down on. Afterwards, reassess the degree of dyspnoea using the BORG Dyspnoea or Exertion Scale – the type of scale to be used has to be stipulated in the respective study/the respective registry.
DZHK-SOP-K-04: 6-minute walking test (6MWT), Version: V1.0, Valid as of: 01.09.2014

  Fieldname: gehtest_borgnach
  Note in CRF: Used BORG scale (after end of test)
  Data type: String with following options
    Borg rating of perceived exertion scale (6/20)
    Borg – dyspnoea scale (0/10)
    unknown
    not assessed

  Fieldname: gehtest_borgnachanst
  Note in CRF: Borg rating of perceived exertion scale
  Data type: String with following options
    6 - no exertion at all
    7 - extremely light
    8
    9 - very light
    10
    11 - light
    12
    13 - somewhat hard
    14
    15 - hard
    16 
    17 - very hard
    18
    19 - extremely hard
    20 - maximal exertion
    unknown
    not assessed

  Fieldname: gehtest_borgnachatem
  Note in CRF: Borg – dyspnoea scale
  Data type: String with following options
    0 - no breathing difficulty at all
    0.5 - very, very slight (just noticeable)
    1 - very slight
    2 - slight
    3 - moderate
    4 - somewhat severe
    5 - severe
    6 - severe to very severe
    7 - very severe
    8 - very severe to very, very severe
    9 - very, very severe (almost maximal)
    10 - maximal breathing difficulty
    unknown
    not assessed

Aids/stop criteria

Aids

The walking path should be 30 metres long and be marked every 3 metres, whereby the start and the turning point should be marked in colour and easy to recognise (standard method). Alternatively, a measuring wheel can be used to measure the distance walked
chair

telephone with easy reach

Defibrillator within easy reach

Possibility of oxygen supply

DZHK-SOP-K-04: 6-minute walking test (6MWT), Version: V1.0, Valid as of: 01.09.2014

  Fieldname: gehtest_hilf
  Note in CRF: Were aids used?
  Data type: String with following options
    yes
    no
    unknown
    not assessed

  Fieldname: gehtest_hilfja
  Note in CRF: If yes
  Data type: String with following options
    measuring wheel
    walking aid
    oxygen administration
    other
    unknown
    not assessed

  Fieldname: gehtest_hilfsp
  Note in CRF: Please specify
  Data type: Free text

Test was stopped prematurely

The test is terminated if any of the following symptoms occur:
Angina pectoris

Severe dyspnoea

Dizziness

Unsafe gait, risk of falling

Calf cramps

Claudication

If the oxygen saturation is being measured, the test is
interrupted from a drop of saturation to min

stopped completely in case of a drop in oxygen saturation to less than 85%.

DZHK-SOP-K-04: 6-minute walking test (6MWT), Version: V1.0, Valid as of: 01.09.2014

  Fieldname: gehtest_abbruch
  Note in CRF: Test was stopped prematurely
  Data type: String with following options
    yes
    no
    unknown
    not assessed

  Fieldname: gehtest_abzeit
  Note in CRF: In case the test was stopped prematurely: Total test time
  Data type: Timestamp with minutes and seconds

  Fieldname: gehtest_abgrund
  Note in CRF: Reason for stopping
  Data type: String with following options
    angina pectoris
    severe dyspnoea
    dizziness
    insecure gait/risk of falling
    calf cramps
    claudication
    muscular exhaustion
    decreased saturation
    other
    unknown
    not assessed

  Fieldname: gehtest_abgrunds
  Note in CRF: Please specify
  Data type: Free text

Other particular findings

  Fieldname: gehtest_besond
  Note in CRF: Other particular findings
  Data type: String with following options
    yes
    no
    unknown
    not assessed

  Fieldname: gehtest_besondja
  Note in CRF: If yes
  Data type: String with following options
    walking breaks
    examined person needs to support himself/herself
    other
    unknown
    not assessed

  Fieldname: gehtest_besondjas
  Note in CRF: Please specify
  Data type: Free text