Variability in performance of timed walk tests in pulmonary rehabilitationprograms

Study objective: To describe variability in the conduct of walk tests in pu lmonary rehabilitation programs. Design: Analysis of information obtained by means of a structured written q uestionnaire. Setting: Outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation programs in the United States and Canada. Participants: Clinical coordinators of 75 pulmonary rehabilitation programs . Interventions: None Results: Timed walk tests were obtained in 71 of 99 programs sun eyed. Cons iderable variability in all aspects of testing practices was evident. Fifty -seven respondents (80%) based results on a single walk. Walk tests were co mpleted in a hallway (73%), on a walking track (9%), and on a treadmill (7% ), In 29 programs (44%), a walk supervisor carried or pulled the oxygen sou rce, while in 25 programs (38%), the oxygen was carried or pulled by the pa tient. Informal nonstandardized instructions were provided to patients prio r to walking in 41 programs (58%), In 53 programs (76%), the walk superviso r could direct a patient to speed up, to slow down, or to rest. Evaluations of breathlessness and perceived exertion were measured during the walk by 73% and 16% of programs, respectively. Conclusions: Practices regarding performance of timed walk tests are poorly standardized among pulmonary rehabilitation programs. Further research is needed to evaluate the impact of certain variations in testing practices on test results.