The Effects of Passive Smoking on the Six-Minute Walk Test in Obese Pediatric Cases- Article Summary
Reference: Kaymaz N, Yıldırım Ş, Tekin M, et al. The effects of passive smoking on the six-minute walk test in obese pediatric cases. J Clin Res Pediatr Endocrinol. 2014;6(4):245-249. doi:10.4274/Jcrpe.1524 Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether secondhand smoking affects the results of the six-minute walk test (6MWT) of obese pediatric patients with no other comorbidities. Study Population: The population studied were 75 children ages 7-10 with a diagnosis of obesity (BMI >95th p) that was not a result of any endocrine, genetic, or metabolic issues with no comorbidities. The studied included 40 male and 35 female participants. Participants were excluded if they presented with conditions such as hypertension, impaired cardiac/respiratory function, glucose intolerance, hyperlipidemia, neuromuscular conditions, etc. Methods: The participants were split into two groups; Group 1 was made up of obese children exposed to passive smoking and Group 2 consisted of obese children not exposed to…
Read MoreReliability of timed walking tests and temporo-spatial gait parameters in youths with neurological gait disorders- Article Summary
Title Reliability of timed walking tests and temporo-spatial gait parameters in youths with neurological gait disorders. Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the test-retest reliability of temporo-spatial gait parameters in the 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT) and 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT) in a population of kids with neurological gait disorders. Population A total of 9 girls and 21 boys were included in the study, with a mean age of 13 years old. Diagnoses of participants included Cerebral Palsy (10), stroke (6), TBI (6), demyelination of CNS (2), astrocytome (2), postinfectious encephalopathy (1), medulla blastoma (1), transverse myelopathy (1), and ataxia with unclear etiology (1). 23 of the 30 participants were independent walkers, 4 individuals used walkers, 2 used crutches, and 1 with 4 point crutches. 8 participants utilized AFOs, 3 had insoles, and 1 utilized a foot lifter splint. Methods A convenience sample of patients were recruited…
Read MoreComparison of the Physiological Responses Induced by Different Pediatric Exercise Field Tests in Children
Title: Comparison of the Physiological Responses Induced by Different Pediatric Exercise Field Tests in Children Reference: Scalco JC, Minsky RC, Mayer AF, Caputo F, Schivinski CIS. Comparison of the physiological responses induced by different pediatric exercise field tests in children. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2019;54(9):1431-1438. doi:10.1002/ppul.24423 Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare three different exercise tests, the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), modified shuffle walk test (MSWT), and pediatric Glittre activities of daily living test for children (TGlittre-P), and observe their physiological effects in healthy children. Due to the ever-changing development of children, it can be challenging to determine the physiological deficits that children with chronic diseases are experiencing throughout the course of their disease. This study aimed to gain more insight into the typical responses of healthy children in order to guide the interpretation of these walk tests when used on children with chronic diseases and help…
Read MoreAssociation between 9-minute walk/run test and obesity among children and adolescents: evidence for criterion-referenced cut-points – article summary
Title: Association between 9-minute walk/run test and obesity among children and adolescents: evidence for criterion-referenced cut-points. Authors: Diego Augusto Santos Silva, Justin J. Lang, Edio L. Petroski, Julio B. Mello, Adroaldo C.A Gaya and Mark S. Tremblay Monitoring aerobic fitness in the pediatric population is an important metric used to estimate overall health in children. Field-based tests, such as the 9-minute walk/run test, have been regularly used to measure the aerobic capacity of children as these tests have been previously determined reflect physical fitness levels. However, the literature describes a variety of definitions for appropriate cut-point to distinguish healthy and unhealthy aerobic fitness capacities. These inconsistencies pose a challenge for those evaluating aerobic fitness in children. Past studies have demonstrated that obesity in children is inversely related to aerobic fitness capacity. Therefore, the authors of this study sought to define an appropriate criterion-referenced cut-point in children and adolescence for the…
Read MoreLimitations of 6-minute Walk Test Reference Values for Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Purpose: The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) is frequently used to assess the ambulatory function in those with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). With the trajectory of the disease showing improvements in gait patterns as treatments have become more effective, it is important that we are using appropriate healthy reference range values for the 6MWT to adequately assess progression in this population. This article aims to determine an appropriate healthy reference range to use for individuals with SMA. Study Population: Nine articles were chosen for the systematic review after the inclusion and exclusion process. Of the 9 articles chosen, 3 viewed a healthy pediatric population (age range 3-19) and 6 viewed a healthy adult population (age range 20-81). Methods: The researchers performed a systematic review of articles attempting to determine normative values for the 6MWT on healthy adults and/or children. The studies chosen for the review were selected from PubMed…
Read MoreChildren and adolescents six minute walk test reference values article summary
Article Title: Reference Values for the Six-Minute Walk Test in Healthy Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review Purpose: The purpose of this systematic review was to compare and contrast the available reference values and six-minute walk test equation predictions in health children/adolescents across multiple studies. Population: Of the 12 studies included in this systematic review, the total number of included participants across studies was n = 5615. Though there were difference age ranges examined in each of the 12 studies selected, the range across studies was 4-18 years of age. All studies included healthy children/adolescents without musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiovascular or respiratory disorders from 12 different countries. 10 of the 12 studies included both girls and boys. Of the remaining two studies, one examined only girls and one examined only boys. Methods: Collection of data/studies followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Potential…
Read MoreDevelopmental Trajectories and Reference Percentiles for the 6-Minute Walk Test for Children With Cerebral Palsy article summary
In the introduction the authors discuss how inactivity is a big problem in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) compared to those with normal development, and those with other pediatric disabilities. Due to the large problem of inactivity in those with CP, different types of physical activity such as walking have been identified as good interventions to use during physical therapy. The 6MWT was discussed as an excellent way to both exercise tolerance and endurance in children who are normally developing and in those with CP in order to monitor change in function and as an outcome following surgery. Previous studies have compared the 6WMT distances for Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels 1-3. However, those studies were completed in several different countries, and had variations made to the 6 MWT. The purpose of this study was to document long term development trajectories in 6MWT distances, along with age specific…
Read MoreSix-Minute Walk Test in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy and Children Developing Typically – Article Summary
Title: Six-Minute Walk Test in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy and Children Developing Typically Authors: Diarmaid Fitzgerald, PT, PhD; Claire Hickey, PT, BSc; Eamonn Delahunt, PT, PhD; Michael Walsh, PT, MMedSc; Timothy O’Brien, MCh, FRCSI Purpose: The purpose of this study was to quantify the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) in a sample of children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) functioning at GMFCS Levels I to III and their age matched, typically developing children using a standardized test protocol. Study Population: The population of this study consisted of 145 children with spastic CP and 145 children that were typically developing and screened via the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire. All of the children in this study including those with spastic CP and those typically developing were between the ages of 4 and 17 years old. Methods: Participants body mass and height were measured. A total of 145 children with spastic CP and 137…
Read MoreMethods of 10-Meter Walk Test and Repercussions for Reliability Obtained in Typically Developing Children – Article Summary
Purpose: While there are large amount of studies that analyze the effectiveness of the 10MWT and different methods of it in pediatric populations with neuromuscular conditions, there are very few studies that assess these variables in typically developing children. Therefore, the main purpose of this article was to assess the intrasubject reliability, test-retest reliability and agreement on four methods of the 10MWT in typically developing children. Population: 120 typically developing children of both sexes were included in this study. There were four age groups involved, 6, 8, 10, and 12-year-olds, with a n=30 for each age group. Inclusion criteria was being within the proper age range. Exclusion criteria was having a history of fracture of the lower limbs or pelvis, deformities and diseases affecting walking, not understanding the commands of an examiner, and using a walking aid, prosthesis, orthosis, or insoles. Methods: This was an observational, cross-sectional, descriptive study design. …
Read MoreChanges in Lower Extremity Strength May be Related to the Walking Speed Improvements in Children with Cerebral Palsy After Gait- article summary
Title: Changes in Lower Extremity Strength May be Related to the Walking Speed Improvements in Children with Cerebral Palsy After Gait. Purpose: Copious amounts of research have demonstrated that gait training can improve the ability of children with spastic cerebral palsy to ambulate. The purpose of this study was to determine if lower extremity strength increases secondary to gait training is the primary physiological cause of said increased ability to ambulate. Determining if lower extremity strength increases is the primary physiological cause would allow clinicians to supplement their gait training program with a focused lower extremity strengthening program when working with children with a diagnosis of spastic cerebral palsy. Population: Children both male and female who have a diagnosis of cerebral palsy (either hemiplegic or diplegic). Ages of participants ranged from 6-17 and were a 2 or 3 on the gross motor function classification system. Methods: The participants were recruited…
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