Six Minute Walk test
The Six Minute Walk test (6MWT) is known as a submaximal exercise test that measures how far your child can walk in six minutes. Your child will set the pace, the aim is to walk as many laps as possible of a measured distance in six minutes. The test is used to assess the body’s response to submaximal exercise.
At GOSH, the Six Minute Walk test is carried out by a respiratory physiologist in the lung function unit.
Do I need to bring anything?
You should receive a letter with the instructions on where to come for the test. Please ensure your child wears suitable, comfortable shoes to walk in and loose fitting clothing.
If your child uses supplemental oxygen (continuously or sometimes during the day), please bring this with you.
If your child uses walking aids (cane or walker for instance) please bring this with you to the appointment.
Children with respiratory or cardiac problems should use all regular medications on their daily schedule.
What happens before the six-minute walk test?
The physiologist will explain the six minute walk test in more detail on the day. We will ask for your permission (consent) to perform the test.
Important
The person bringing your child for the test should have ‘Parental Responsibility’ for them. Parental Responsibility refers to the individual who has legal rights, responsibilities, duties, power and authority to make decisions for a child. If the person bringing your child does not have Parental Responsibility, we may have to cancel the test.
What does it involve?
We will put a chair at the top of the corridor to mark out the walking distance, your child can take a seat there before starting. We will put an oxygen saturation probe onto your child’s finger to measure the amount of oxygen in their blood and heart rate. Before the test starts, we will ask your child a couple of questions about their breathing and leg tiredness.
The physiologist will ask your child to walk as far as possible in the six minutes on their own. They should not run or jog during the test . A physiologist may need to walk with your child if they are young or if an oxygen cylinder needs to be carried. A walker or aid can be used during the six minutes if required.
Your child will be allowed to slow down or rest whenever they feel they need to by sitting on a nearby chair or holding onto the handrails. Your child can stop the test if they feel they cannot continue.
During the test we will monitor heart rate and oxygen levels. If your child’s oxygen levels decrease below a certain level, the test will be stopped.
Once the 6 minutes is up, we will ask your child to complete the visual analogue score again. Your child will be allowed to rest for as long as they need to after the test.
Are there any risks?
Six minute walk tests carried out in hospital are very safe – the Physiologists are experienced in carrying out the test and safety equipment is available and will be used if necessary.
Your child’s baseline oxygen saturations and heart rate will be assessed and, in some circumstances checked with a respiratory consultant before the 6MWT. If your child uses supplemental oxygen, the decision to perform on or off oxygen will be made by their consultant beforehand.
Your child will be monitored throughout the whole test and it will be stopped if your child’s oxygen levels decrease below a certain level or if the physiologist feels the test is unsafe.
Getting the results
The test results will be uploaded onto our electronic patient record system for your doctor to view. If you are seeing your doctor in clinic or later that day, they will go through the results with you.
If you are not seeing the doctor that day, they will still be able to view your test results and contact you if your child needs to do anything before their next appointment.