Gait speed in knee osteoarthritis: A simple 10-meter walk test predicts the distance covered in the 6-minute walk test

• Published in: Musculoskeletal science & practice Vol. 72; p. 102983
• Main Authors: Lozano-Meca, José, Montilla-Herrador, Joaquina, Gacto-Sánchez, Mariano
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2024
• Subjects: 10-M walk test; 6-Minute walk test; Aged; Clinical assessments; Cross-Sectional Studies; Exercise Test - methods; Female; Humans; Knee osteoarthritis; Male; Middle Aged; Osteoarthritis, Knee - diagnosis; Osteoarthritis, Knee - physiopathology; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Predictive Value of Tests; Walk Test - methods; Walking - physiology; Walking Speed - physiology; 10-M walk test; Clinical assessments; Knee osteoarthritis; 6-Minute walk test
• ISSN: 2468-7812; 2468-7812
• DOI: 10.1016/j.msksp.2024.102983

The 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) is a common performance-measure in Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA), but the pain and functional impairment characterizing the condition may interfere its adequate performance. The shorter 10-m Walk Test (10mWT) could predict the distance performed on the 6MWT, therefore decreasing the burden on patients, enhancing efficiency, and reducing space- and time-constraints in clinical settings. A cross sectional study was conducted. The scores from the 6MWT and the shorter 10mWT of 58 ambulatory subjects with KOA were compared. Correlation, and a univariate regression analysis to explore the predictive ability of the 10mWT, were calculated. Correlation was excellent (r = 0.913, p-value<0.001), and the predictive equation based on the 10mWT scores (R2 = 0.834, p-value<0.001) estimates the distance walked in the 6MWT with a relative error of 7.62%. The 10mWT may be an excellent assessment-tool to predict the distance walked in the 6MWT, due to its low strain on patients and as a means of improving efficiency and reducing time-constraints. •This is the first study to explore the predictive ability of 10mWT versus 6MWT.•The high correlation 10mWT-6MWT supports a good concurrent validity in KOA.•Equation for estimating the actual performance of 6MWT = 48.09 + 321 * 10mWT.•The 10mWT can be a practical tool to estimate the predictive distance walked in the 6MWT in clinical settings.•The 10mWT improves space- and time-constraints in clinical settings.