Update on the 6 and 3-minute walk test for a pediatric population
No new information found on the 6 or 3-minute walk test for children since last year. From current research, still no accepted values for MCID. From my findings, there is still little information on recommendations of normative values on the 3-minute walk test.
Citation for Article Summary:
Lee, Yang-Soo, Won-Bok Kim, and Joo-Wan Park. “The Effect of Exercise Using a Sliding Rehabilitation Machine on the Gait Function of Children with Cerebral Palsy.” J Phys Ther Sci Journal of Physical Therapy Science 26.11 (2014): 1667-669. Web. 4 Mar. 2016.
Summary:
The study’s purpose is to look at the impact of using a sliding rehab machine (SRM) in order to improve gait function in children with cerebral palsy. Participants were recruited in an outpatient setting if they fit the below inclusion/exclusion criteria. The study had 13 children participate in the intervention 16 times in 8 weeks (2x/wk for 30 minutes). The SRM is a tilt table that can be used in order to strengthen the lower extremities through closed chain flexion and extension at the ankle, knee, and hip. The table is able to slide up and down with the trunk and body. The authors used the 6 minute walk test, 10 meter walk test, dynamometer, and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test in order to see how the intervention impacted the participants’ abilities. The authors also assessed the participants’ muscle tone using the Modified Asheworth Scale.
Inclusion criteria for participants included being between the ages of 6 and 18 years old, being diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and being between levels 1 and 3 on the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), and were also able to follow verbal cues. Exclusion criteria included not being able to walk independently, individuals who had any kind of orthotics, were diagnosed with any other diagnosis other than CP, and had surgery or Botox treatment within the previous 6 months.
The study had 9 participants complete the study as four dropped out. They showed a significant increase (pre to post intervention-p. <0.05) in knee extensor torque, knee flexor torque, and 6-minute walk test distances. The study also showed a significant decrease in time for the TUG and 10-meter walk test but did not show any significant improvements in muscle tone pre and post intervention. In conclusion, the study showed that the SRM does have benefits for children with cerebral palsy but was limited due to the small amount of participants that participated in the study. The study also had no control or group who simply worked on gait training. The study also did not have any follow up assessment to see if the significant improvements lasted long term.
2 responses to “Update on the 6 and 3-minute walk test for a pediatric population”
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I never thought of a lot of the 6 min walk test, TUG, or 10 meter gait speed as outcome measures for children but, of course, they make perfect sense. The sliding rehab machine sounds kind of like a leg press, which I would think would aid in decreasing tone due to the weight bearing nature of that kind of exercise.
It would be interesting to compare the group that used the SRM to a group that participated in an 8 week intervention that consisted of walking for 30 minutes each session (2x/week). Since this study has no control group, it is difficult to determine if the results result from use of the SRM or from being physically active.