Correlation of distance walked in audio signal-modified shuttle walk test with six-minute walk test

The literature review suggested that the audio signal-modified shuttle walk test (SWT_SR) was equally reliable and valid when compared to the conventional shuttle walk test. A comparison of SWT_SR with the six-minute walk test (6MWT), which is considered the gold standard in walk tests, allowed us to evaluate the SWT_SR and determine its validity and reliability as an alternative or supplement to the 6MWT. The objective of this study was to determine the correlation between the distances walked during a SWT_SR and the 6MWT in healthy, normal adults. The study recruited 42 healthy normal adults who underwent 6MWT and SWT_SR on the same day. The correlation was assessed by Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and agreement between the tests was assessed using a Bland-Altman plot. Additionally, the acceptability of the modified test in comparison to the 6MWT was assessed by the Likert scale. The distances walked (mean ± standard deviation) in the 6MWT and SWT_SR were 693.8±58.3 and 951.4±139.7 m, respectively (Pearson’s correlation coefficient of 0.918). The distance covered by the study participants in the 6MWT and SWT_SR showed a strong correlation with spirometry results. The SWT_SR induced a greater physiological response compared to the 6MWT. The acceptability of the SWT_SR was comparable to that of the 6MWT. The distance walked in the SWT_SR shows a strong positive correlation with the 6MWT and has comparable acceptability with the 6MWT. The SWT_SR may provide a better index of the patient’s ability for his activities of daily living and may be a better measure for studying exercise tolerance than the 6MWT in certain clinical settings.