Determining the minimum important differences for field walking tests in adults with long-term conditions: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract
Importance The minimum important difference (MID) for field walking tests aims to improve interpretation of outcomes, but the volume and heterogeneity of MIDs for these tests is challenging. We aimed to determine the MID for the 6-min walk distance (6MWD), incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) and endurance shuttle walk test (ESWT) in adults with long-term conditions. Methods This systematic review included studies that generated a MID using an anchor-based approach in patients with long-term conditions for the 6MWD, ISWT or ESWT field walking tests. Studies were screened and data extracted by independent reviewers. Meta-analyses were performed using RevMan. Results 42 studies were included in the analyses, involving n=13 949 participants. Of these, 12 studies involving exercise as an intervention were included in the meta-analyses to produce MIDs, presented as mean (95% confidence interval). The MID for the 6MWD was 25 m (24–26 m) for respiratory conditions, 23 m (8–37 m) for cardiac conditions and 37 m (26–49 m) for neurological/musculoskeletal conditions. The MID for the ISWT was 48 m (39–57 m) for respiratory conditions and 70 m (55–85 m) for cardiac conditions. The MID for ESWT in COPD was 159 s (94–224 s). The pooled MID across conditions within exercise interventions was 26 m (22–40 m) for the 6MWD and 53 m (44–62 m) for the ISWT, with reasonable heterogeneity (I2=48% and I2=47%, respectively). Conclusion We propose new MIDs for exercise interventions using…
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Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 13 participants or records.
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