TITLE:
Validation of a 2 Minute Step Test for Assessing Functional Improvement
AUTHORS:
F. Haas, G. Sweeney, A. Pierre, T. Plusch, J. Whiteson
KEYWORDS:
6 Minute Walk Test, Step Test, Exercise Capacity
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation,
Vol.5 No.2,
May
24,
2017
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Although many cardiopulmonary patients require home care services, the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) is unusable in most dwellings for objectively evaluating exercise capacity because it requires a 20 - 30 meter hallway. To meet this need, we developed a 2-minute step test (2MST): stepping up and down an 8 inch step for 2 minutes (1 step = bilateral step up + step down). Purpose: Evaluate the statistical validity, reproducibility, and sensitivity of the 2MST in assessing exercise capacity. Method: We compared the heart rate, oxygen saturation and perceived exertion obtained during performance of 2MST with those obtained during the 6MWT. Results: Comparing 2MST and 6MWT in 158 subjects for validity, r = 0.925 (P Conclusion: The 2MST is valid, reproducible, sensitive, safe, well-tolerated, and is a suitable substitute for the 6MWT.