Walking the boundaries: using the 6-min walk test for accurate assessment of the level of fitness in breast clinic outpatients.

BACKGROUND

Healthy levels of physical activity and improved fitness have shown better quality of life outcomes and improved survival in women with breast cancer. There is a lack of baseline data for fitness levels in breast cancer outpatients in Australia.

METHODS

A single centre cross-sectional study was performed to provide a snapshot of the fitness levels of women attending the Surgical and Oncology Breast Outpatient Clinic at Western Health, Melbourne. A total of 200 women (aged 18-85 years) were surveyed and the 6-min walk test (6MWT) was performed. Single and multiple linear regression analyses were performed.

RESULTS

The mean 6-min walk distance (6MWD) was 486.6 m (95% CI ±12.8 m), which was comparable with reference ranges. The mean age of participants was 47.5 years. Ninety-seven (48.5%) participants had diagnosis of breast cancer. Breast cancer diagnosis had a negative effect on 6MWD of -33.6 m walked (P = 0.010). However, multiple regression analysis showed that only age (-2.6 m walked per year older; P < 0.001), body mass index (-4.2 m walked per unit of body mass index increase; P < 0.001) and presence of comorbidities (-56.9 m walked; P < 0.001) had statistically significant negative effects on 6MWD. Self-reported exercise tolerance correlated significantly with 6MWD (walking: P < 0.001 and stairs: P = 0.014).

CONCLUSION

The 6MWT was easily performed within outpatient environment to accurately assess baseline level of fitness in breast cancer clinic outpatients. This indicates that 6MWT can be used as a valuable adjunctive tool to assess the level of fitness in breast cancer patients to make therapeutic recommendations in improving breast cancer outcomes.