Six-minute Stepper Test to Set Pulmonary Rehabilitation Intensity in Patients with COPD – A Retrospective Study

Figures & data

Table 1. Patient characteristics (n = 24).

Variable (units)
Female (n)^a	6 (25)
Age (years)^b	61.5 (8.7)
Height (cm)^b	167.2 (7.4)
Body mass (kg)^b	65.9 (12.2)
BMI (kg/m²)^b	23.6 (4.2)
FEV1 (L)^b	1.23 (0.4)
FEV1 (%)^c	45 (31.8–55)
FVC (L)^b	2.73 (0.7)
FVC (%)^b	79.8 (17.1)
FEV1/FVC (% ratio)^b	45.4 (12.7)
COPD stage
GOLD I^a	1 (4)
GOLD II^a	10 (42)
GOLD III^a	9 (38)
GOLD IV^a	4 (17)
6MST (steps)^b	186.8 (59.4)
HR1–3^b	107.1 (14,3)
HR4–6^b	120.6 (15)
Power-vt (W)	37.5 (30–47.5)
Long-term oxygen (n)^a	7 (29)
Non-invasive ventilation (n)^a	2 (8)
Peripheral arterial disease (n)^a	3 (13)
Hypertension	7 (29)
Hypercholesterolemia (n)^a	3 (13)
Diabetes (n)^a	1 (4)
Myocardial infarction (n)^a	2 (8)

^a Values expressed as numbers (%).

^b Values expressed as means (SD).

^c Values expressed as medians (25th–75th percentile).

FEV1/FVC is expressed as percentage ratio.

BMI: body mass index; FEV1: forced expiratory volume in one second; FCV: forced vital capacity; 6MST: 6-minute stepper test; HR_1–3: mean HR during the first 3 minutes of the 6MST; HR_4–6: mean HR during the last 3 minutes of the 6MST; Power-vt: Power at the ventilatory threshold.

Figure 1. Relationship between mean HR during the first (A) and last (B) 3 minutes of the 6MST, and HR at the ventilatory threshold measured by CPET. HR: heart rate; HRvt: heart rate at the ventilatory threshold; HR_1–3: mean HR during the first 3 minutes of the 6MST; HR_4–6: mean HR during the last 3 minutes of the 6MST; CPET: cardiopulmonary exercise testing; 6MST: 6-minute stepper test.