Six-minute Walk Test Summary Tabular Data, 2023-2024

Hughes, M and Griffin, H and Faulkner, J (2025). Six-minute Walk Test Summary Tabular Data, 2023-2024. [Data Collection]. Colchester, Essex: UK Data Service. 10.5255/UKDA-SN-857553

Patients with lung disease who report breathlessness on exertion are often referred for a 6-minute walk test (6MWT). During this test patients are asked to walk up and down a corridor (or other flat area) for six minutes whilst their blood oxygen levels and heart rate are non-invasively measured using a pulse oximeter (finger probe) and the distance walked is measured. In addition, a questionnaire that obtains a Borg Score measures the patients perceived breathlessness and leg muscle fatigue both before and immediately following the test.

The data collected consisted of the baseline HR and SpO2, along with the SpO2 nadir and peak HR during the 6MWT. From these, the drop in SpO2 can be calculated and was compared between two different 6MWTs - one where the patient was asked to walk as far as possible (a maximal 6MWT; M-6MWT) or at their normal walking pace (N-6MWT). The dataset presented provides all raw and calculated data from these two tests for each participant, scored by two independent assessors (as there is some subjectivity in determining these parameters).

The purpose of the project was to assess if the standard M-6MWT (as recommended by international guidelines) differed from asking patients to walk at their normal walking pace. Because a M-6MWT may not reflect normal daily living, this test may lead to an inaccurate assessment of their requirement for ambulatory oxygen. It may also not accurately measure the normal changes in oxygen saturation (or desaturation) that occurs in these patients during their normal daily activities (such as walking to the shops, walking up the stairs, gardening).

We hypothesise that performing a N-6MWT will provide a more accurate assessment of a patients' oxygen requirement, primarily from their oxygen desaturation during the test.

Data description (abstract)

However, because this test asks patients to walk as far as possible (a maximal 6MWT; M-6MWT), it may not reflect normal daily living. A M-6MWT, therefore, may lead to an inaccurate assessment of their requirement for ambulatory oxygen. The purpose of the project was to assess if the standard M-6MWT (as recommended by international guidelines) differed from asking patients to walk at their normal walking pace (N-6MWT).

The data collected consisted of the baseline HR and SpO2 (collected via a Bluetooth pulse oximeter), along with the SpO2 nadir and peak HR during the 6MWT. The total distance walked (6MWD) and the % predicted was also recorded (using a lap counter), along with basic demographic information (verbal questioning). From these, the drop in SpO2 can be calculated and was compared between two different 6MWTs - one where the patient was asked to walk as far as possible (a maximal 6MWT; M-6MWT) or at their normal walking pace (N-6MWT). The dataset presented provides all raw and calculated data from these two tests for each participant, scored by two independent assessors (as there is some subjectivity in determining these parameters).

We hypothesise that performing a N-6MWT will provide a more accurate assessment of a patients' oxygen requirement, primarily from their oxygen desaturation during the test.

Data creators:

Creator Name	Affiliation	ORCID (as URL)
Hughes M	Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust	https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5793-415X
Griffin H	Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust	https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2059-4742
Faulkner J	University of Southampton	https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3704-6737

Sponsors:

Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Topic classification:

Health

Keywords:

WALKING, EXERCISE (PHYSICAL ACTIVITY), RESPIRATORY SYSTEM, CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM, PHYSIOLOGY

Project title:

Comparison of the Standard 6-Minute Maximal Speed Walk Test Against a 6-Minute Normal Speed Walk Test as an Alternative and More Accurate Assessment for Ambulatory Oxygen Requirement.

Grant holders:

Michael Hughes

Project dates:

From	To
1 January 2023	23 February 2024

Date published:

14 Feb 2025 11:14

Last modified:

14 Feb 2025 11:14

Coverage and Methodology

Collection period:

Date from:	Date to:
January 2023	February 2024

Geographical area:

Basingstoke and Winchester

Country:

United Kingdom

Data collection method:

The M-6MWT was conducted in accordance with published guidelines on performing a 6MWT (Anne E. Holland et al., 2014). In brief, patients were asked to walk as far as possible in the 6 minutes whilst the number of laps completed were recorded (calculating the 6MWD). SpO2 and HR were continuously monitored throughout the M-6MWT and during a 10-minute recovery period.

The N-6MWT was conducted with the same instructions as the published standardised 6MWT with the exception that participants were instructed to walk at their normal walking pace. The number of laps completed, SpO2 and HR were monitored throughout the N-6MWT. A minimum period of 10 minutes rest was provided following the test.

The raw data from each test was then assigned a randomised ID and analysed blinded in a random order to remove observer bias. For each test, the SpO2 baseline, SpO2 nadir, baseline HR, peak HR and time to SpO2 nadir was manually selected from a graph that showed a continuous SpO2 and HR readout. The process was completed by two independant assessors, one within the direct research team with in depth knowledge of the test and technology used for performing the 6MWT and another an external academic collaborator with expert knowledge of the 6MWT. If values for SpO2 agreed within 1% or HR within 10bpm, only the 1st assessor result was used (as averaging would create non-integer results which for the purposes of AOT prescribing guidelines creates a non-real world result). If assessors did not agree, a third assessor was chosen and the assessor with best agreement (within 1% SpO2 or 10bpm HR) was chosen to report. The aggregate data is summarised on each respective tab in the attached summary data file.

Observation unit:

Group

Kind of data:

Numeric, Text

Type of data:

Experimental data

Resource language:

English

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