Reliability of the six-minute walk test in individuals with stroke: systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose The six-minute walking test (6MWT) is a simple and widely used measure of functional capacity. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize findings on reliability of 6MWT in subjects who have had a stroke. Methods Two independent investigators conducted an extensive search in multidisciplinary electronic databases from inception to August 2019, and selected complete original studies on the reliability of the 6MWT used to assess individuals with stroke. Two reviewers independently extracted data and evaluated methodological quality. Outcome for meta-analysis was reliability, measured by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). In addition, standard error of measurement (SEM) and minimal detectable change (MDC) were recorded. Results Of the 241 potentially relevant articles screened, 6 met inclusion criteria and 5 of them were included in meta-analysis. Combined correlation coefficient of .98 (confidence interval .98-.99) was found for test-retest reliability. Only one study investigated inter-rater and intra-rater reliability. SEM and MDC values were rarely reported. Conclusions The 6MWT has high test-retest reliability, when used to assess individuals with stroke. Other types of reliability and SEM and MDC need further investigations in populations with a stroke.

Automated summary

The six-minute walking test (6MWT) has high test-retest reliability when used to assess individuals with stroke. However, other types of reliability, as well as SEM and MDC, require further investigation in populations with stroke.