The 6-Minute
Walk Test (6MWT) distance may be a good indicator of lower limb muscle
strength, and lower limb strengthening may improve gait capacity in patients
with stroke, say authors of an article published in Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine.
A total
of 24 patients (12 men and 12 women) participated in the study. Muscle strength
(Medical Research Council [MRC] scale) and spasticity (modified Ashworth scale)
were assessed prior to the 6MWT. Heart rate was recorded at rest and during the
6MWT. Participants were divided into 2 groups: (1) those with a high MRC sum
score, and (2) those with a low MRC sum score. The relationship between the
6MWT distance and the other parameters was analyzed using a Spearman's rank
correlation coefficient.
There
was a significant and positive relationship between 6MWT distance and lower
limb muscle strength, whereas no significant correlations were found between
the 6MWT distance and spasticity, resting heart rate, and heart rate during the
6MWT.
Please send me parameters that were measured & evaluated. For example, what measurements besides HR? Was measurments before & after the 6MWT taken? Strength of which LE muscles were mearsured? What time period was the 6MWT preformed, ie: one month, 5 times per week?
Posted by Barbara Gosney, PT
on 11/5/2012 1:15 PM