The 6MWT: Validity of a Pedometer and Instruction on 15m and 30m Courses in Adults with Parkinson‘s Disease

Purpose: Assess the validity of the use of a 15m course for the 6MWT in subjects with Parkinson Disease (PD) compared to non-PD controls ; also assess the use of dissimilar instructions during the 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT) on a 15m and 30 meter course. Secondary outcomes included; the utility of pedometer use and predicted distance versus actual distances accomplished for each course for PD subjects. Methods: Volunteer subjects (N=35, 16 PD; 19 non-PD; mean age 70.2 years) participated. Data was collected on each course for using the instruction, “walk as far as you can” and “walk as fast as you can” for 6 minutes. A pedometer was worn. Predicted distance for the PD group was calculated. Results: A 2 by 8 repeated measure detected differences within subjects’ p=.017 and between groups p=.003. The 15m fast course was found to be valid for the PD group. The PD group distance and the predicted distance formula were not different on any course. The instruction was a significant factor for control group 30m, p=.014; 15m, p=.005 and for the PD group 30m p=.026. Using the pedometer, there were some significant differences on the 30 fast course when measured by group p=.009. Conclusion: Overall the PD group performed best on the 30m far course. Fast instruction is recommended for healthy older adults (either size course) and for PD subjects on the 15m course for the best possible effort. The pedometer is an accurate and valid on a 30 far and 15 meter course with PD. The predicted distance is a good indicator of functional distance for these mild to moderate PD subjects on either size course and with either set of instructions.