Effectiveness of the 6-Minute Walk Test as a Predictive Measure on Hospital Readmission and Mortality in Individuals With Heart Failure

A Systematic Review of the Literature

Abstract

Purpose: 

To review the effect distance walked during the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) has on determining the risk of hospital readmission and mortality for individuals with heart failure.

Methods: 

A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, CINAHL, MEDLINE, ProQuest, and Web of Science was performed from February 2021 through September 2021. Article screening and data extraction were completed by 2 authors (C.C. and M.M.). The Quality in Prognostic Studies (QUIPS) assessment tool was used by 3 authors (A.B., C.C., and M.M.) to determine the level of bias for each study.

Results: 

Ten studies were included in this systematic review after inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. Title (κ= 0.75, confidence interval [CI] 0.68-0.82), abstract (κ= 1, CI 1-1), and full-text (κ= 1, CI 1-1) screens were completed by 2 authors (C.C. and M.M.). Studies in this review included subjects with both acute and chronic heart failure diagnoses. Statistically significant results were reported in 7 of 10 research studies in reference to the distance walked during the 6MWT, hospital readmission, and mortality rates. In the included studies, 6MWT cut-off distances ranged from 200 to 468 m, predicting future hospitalization for subjects with heart failure.

Conclusion: 

The 6MWT may be an effective and easily accessible tool in the acute care setting for physical therapists to estimate the risk of rehospitalization and mortality in the heart failure population and may help with determining discharge recommendations.