Validity and Responsiveness of the Glittre-ADL Test without a Backpack in People with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

The Glittre-ADL test assesses the functional capacity for activities of daily living of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In the test, a weighted backpack is worn (2.5 kg for women and 5.0 kg for men). The differential in weight between men and women is not common in other tests of exercise capacity and may limit the comparison of the test between sexes. The primary aim of this study was to validate the Glittre-ADL test performed without the backpack in people with COPD. Forty participants with mild to severe COPD (mean ± SD age: 70 ± 6 years; FEV₁: 48 ± 20%predicted) were recruited and performed two six-minute walk tests (visit 1); two Glittre-ADL tests with backpack (visit 2), and the Glittre-ADL test with and without the backpack, in random order (visit 3). The Glittre-ADL test time was shorter without the backpack than with the backpack [mean difference −0.37 min (95%CI −0.59 to −0.15)] and heart rate (HR) and oxygen saturation (SpO₂) were equivalents between tests [−1.31 beats/minute (−3.92 to 1.30) and −0.95% (−2.27 to 0.37), respectively]. The Glittre-ADL test without the backpack elicited similar HR and SpO2 responses as the test with the backpack, indicating equivalence of physiological demand. Thus, the Glittre-ADL test without the backpack was a valid, responsive, and appropriate test to assess functional capacity for activities of daily living.

Keywords:

• COPD
• functional capacity
• field tests
• and activities of daily living

Declaration of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brazil (CAPES) Finance Code 001; Programa de Doutorado-sanduíche no Exterior (PDSE) Process number 88881.135337/2016-01; and Australian Education International, Australian Government – Department of Education and Training (Endeavour Leadership Programme).