A 6-minute walk test is generally done at the start of a pulmonary rehabilitation program or to evaluate a patient OF ILD or for lung surgery. The test measures the distance a patient can walk quickly on a flat, hard surface in 6 minutes and reflects an individual’s ability to perform daily physical activities.

Indications

One of the most significant reasons that a 6-minute walk test is conducted is for measuring the response to medical intervention in a patient with moderate to severe heart or lung disease. The test is also used:

• As a one-time measurement of functional status.
• To provide information about a patient’s ability to perform activities of daily living.
• To evaluate the response of bodily systems to exercise including the heart, lungs, blood and circulation.

Preparing for the Test

On the day of the test, be sure to:

• Dress in comfortable clothing.
• Wear comfortable shoes, preferably designed for walking.
• Use walking aids if you normally need them, such as a cane or walker.
• Eat a light meal before early morning or afternoon tests.

Test Results

Most 6-minute walk tests will be done twice — once before and once following therapeutic intervention to determine if the patient has experienced significant improvement in functional status.

One of the goals of medical intervention is for the patient to be able to walk further during the second test than he or she did during the first.