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The 6‐minute walk test as a new outcome measure in Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Author(s) -
McDonald Craig M.,
Henricson Erik K.,
Han Jay J.,
Abresch R. Ted,
Nicorici Alina,
Elfring Gary L.,
Atkinson Leone,
Reha Allen,
Hirawat Samit,
Miller Langdon L.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.21544
Subject(s) - duchenne muscular dystrophy , medicine , ambulatory , physical therapy , muscular dystrophy , stride , physical medicine and rehabilitation
Walking abnormalities are prominent in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). We modified the 6‐minute walk test (6MWT) for use as an outcome measure in patients with DMD and evaluated its performance in 21 ambulatory boys with DMD and 34 healthy boys, ages 4 to 12 years. Boys with DMD were tested twice, ∼1 week apart; controls were tested once. The groups had similar age, height, and weight. All tests were completed. Boys who fell recovered rapidly from falls without injury. Mean ± SD [range] 6‐minute walk distance (6MWD) was lower in boys with DMD than in controls (366 ± 83 [125–481] m vs. 621 ± 68 [479–754] m; P < 0.0001; unpaired t ‐test). Test‐retest correlation for boys with DMD was high ( r = 0.91). Stride length ( R 2 = 0.89; P < 0.0001) was the major determinant of 6MWD for both boys with DMD and controls. A modified 6MWT is feasible and safe, documents disease‐related limitations on ambulation, is reproducible, and offers a new outcome measure for DMD natural history and therapeutic trials. Muscle Nerve, 2010