The 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) is a simple exercise test that measures the distance an individual can quickly walk on a flat, hard surface in a period of six minutes.
6 minute walk test used to assess functional exercise capacity in people with conditions like COPD, heart failure, and pulmonary hypertension.
The test should be conducted on a flat, indoor hallway, ideally 30 meters (98 feet) in length. The distance should be measured precisely.
Here’s a 6 minute walk test procedure steps.
- Instruct the patient to walk back and forth along the marked hallway as far as they can in six minutes.
- They should aim to walk at a steady pace and can slow down or stop if they feel tired or breathless.
- Inform them that you will provide feedback on the time remaining at one-minute intervals.
- Start the timer when the patient begins walking.Stand by to observe the patient’s pace, symptoms, and form.
- At each minute, inform the patient how much time is left (e.g., “Five minutes to go”).
- Test Stopping Criteria ( stop the test if patient feel following)
- Chest pain
- Severe shortness of breath
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Leg cramps or pain
- Stop the timer when the six minutes are up, and instruct the patient to stop walking.
- Note the total distance walked by calculating the laps and the remainder distance at the stopping point.
- Record heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation.
- Document the total distance walked, any symptoms experienced, and post-test vital signs.
6 minute walk test result interpretation
- Compare the distance walked to normative values based on age, sex, and clinical status if available.
- Reduced walking distance may indicate reduced functional capacity and may help in monitoring disease progression, response to therapy, or rehabilitation outcomes.
Average Distances by Gender
- Men: Typically walk between 500 – 700 meters in 6 minutes.
- Women: Typically walk between 400 – 600 meters in 6 minutes.