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Measurement Properties and Minimal Detectable Change of the 6‐Min Step Test for Estimating Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Hospitalized Individuals After Stroke

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The 6-minuteute step test is an alternative for estimating cardiorespiratory fitness after stroke. OBJECTIVE: To investigate its measurement properties and minimal detectable change early after stroke. METHODS: Cross-sectional, methodological study. Participants were inpatient individuals in the acute/subacute phase after stroke, who performed the 6-min step and the 6-min walk tests. The outcomes of interest were test-retest and inter-rater reliabilities, validity, measurement error, and minimal detectable change. RESULTS: Fifty-one individuals (34 men) with a mean time of 6 days (SD 2) since stroke, and a mean walking speed of 0.9 m/s (SD 0.2) were included. The 6-min step test had a very-high test-retest (ICC 0.93; 95% CI 0.88-0.96) and inter-rater reliability (ICC 0.95; 95% CI 0.91-0.97). The correlation between the 6-min-step test and the 6-min walk was moderate (r = 0.5; 95% CI 0.3-0.7). The measurement error was 8 (10%) and the minimal detectable change was 21 repetitions. CONCLUSION: The 6-min step test demonstrated appropriate test-retest and inter-rater reliability. Agreement with the 6-min walk test was imprecise, which may reflect the greater physical demand of the 6-min-step test. Further studies are needed to examine the relationship between the 6-min-step test and maximal cardiorespiratory capacity.

Source: Physiotherapy Research International

DOI: 10.1002/pri.70201

Authors: Raissa Olegário Aguiar Pavesi, Augusto Boening, Silvana dos Santos Meyrelles, Lucas R. Nascimento

Institution: Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo

Language: English

Topic: Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery

Subfield: Rehabilitation

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,240