This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Eaton, T Articles by Kolbe, J Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Eaton, T Articles by Kolbe, J Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

The endurance shuttle walking test: a responsive measure in pulmonary rehabilitation for COPD patients

P Young

K Nicol

J Kolbe

Green Lane Respiratory Services, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand

Background: The endurance shuttle walk test (ESWT) is a standardized externally controlled constant paced field test for the assessment of endurance capacity in chronic lung disease. The ESWT has been advocated as a simple, acceptable, repeatable and responsive outcome measure for COPD patients undergoing pulmonary rehabilitation, but has not been formally compared with the more commonly used field walking test, the six-minute walk (6MW). We aimed to determine: 1) the responsiveness of the ESWT in COPD patients attending a hospital-based pulmonary rehabilitation programme, and 2) to compare the responsiveness of the ESWT with the 6MW. Methods: Consecutive COPD patients, referred for a standard 8 week pulmonary rehabilitation programme, were recruited. Outcome parameters studied at baseline and completion of rehabilitation programme (8 weeks) included spirometric lung volumes, resting oxygen saturation, breathlessness scored pre and post exercise (modified Borg dyspnoea score), 6MW, ESWT, health-related quality of life (Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale. The incremental shuttle was employed to predict V0₂ peak; 85% V0₂ peak was used to determine the walk speed for the ESWT. Results: Twenty stable COPD patients (11 male), mean (SD), age 71, (9) FEV₁ 0.95 (0.51), resting SP⁰2 95% (2) 6MW distance (m) 351 (104) and ESWT distance (m) 313 (193) were studied. Three patients did not complete their rehabilitation programme. Following rehabilitation, there were significant improvements in 6MW, ESWT, total CRQ and anxiety domain (HAD). The 6MW distance increased by 17% (47 m 95%CI 3, 90), while the ESWT increased by 92% (302 m 95%CI 104, 501). Conclusion: The ESWT is a simple, acceptable and highly responsive outcome measure for COPD patients undergoing a pulmonary rehabilitation programme. The ESWT has potential advantages in that it may be more responsive than the 6MW.

Key Words: COPD • endurance shuttle walking test • pulmonary rehabilitation

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?