Effects of Guarding on the Outcomes of the 6-Minute Walk Test

Abstract

Introduction:The American Thoracic Society recommends not walking with the client during the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). This recommendation raises safety concerns for individuals at increased risk of falls. To date, the effects of guarding during the 6MWT have not been investigated.Purpose:The purpose of this study was to determine whether guarding during the 6MWT affected gait velocity and distance walked.Methods:This multicenter study collected data from healthy younger (n = 103, 24.2 ± 3.4 yr) and older adults (n = 102, 71.1 ± 11.3 yr) who performed 2 consecutive 6MWT trials. Participants were randomized into a "guarded first"versus "guarded second"condition. Data were analyzed using a one-sample t test, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), and Bland-Altman plots.Results:Guarding significantly decreased (P