Is the 6-minute cycle test useful in a cardiac rehabilitation programme?

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the repeatability of the 6-minute cycle test (6MC), and the usability of the 6MC as a measure of outcome changes in a cardiac rehabilitation programme (CR). Method: Subjects were 49 PCI patients, aged 43–68 years, participating in a phase II CR programme. Repeatability: Each patient performed a 6MC test and retest on 2 separate days. The workload of the 6MC was determined by an incremental ergometer cycle test prior to the 6MC test. Outcome: 36 of the initial 49 patients performed the 6MC tests after 8 and 12 weeks of exercise and again 1 month after completing the CR programme. Results: The coefficient of variation (CV) was 4.2% for the 6MC. The 95% CI for the difference between test–retest were for the 6MC [− 0.185 to 0.285] km., p = 0.044. Data showed significant changes between baseline and 8 weeks of exercise, p < 0.01. Data revealed individual improvements exceeding the 95% CI of the patients. Conclusion: 6MC showed to be able to determine collective and individual outcomes in CR. Further studies are necessary to address the relation between VO₂ max test and results of the 6MC test.

Key words::

• 6MC
• cardiac rehabilitation
• exercise
• outcome
• repeatability

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.