Validity and Reliability of the 6-minute Walk Test Over a Distance of 6 Metres in People With Multiple Sclerosis (VR6minWT6)

The objective of this study is to validate a different version of the 6 minutes Walk Test (6minWT), the 6minWT on 6 meters, instead of the 30 meters.

The secondary objectives are to verify the reliability of this new version and to analyze the possible differences between the 6minWT6 and the 6minWT30 (according to speed at half-turn, other parameters: age, gender, height, EDSS score, type of disease, time since relapse).

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Multiple Sclerosis
• Intervention / Treatment: Diagnostic test: The 6-minutes Walk Test

Detailed Description

The 6minWT is used by physiotherapists to monitor the walking endurance abilities of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The protocol for this test recommends a distance of 30 meters (6minWT30) to perform the test. However, this distance is not always available in practices and patients' homes. The aim of this study is therefore to validate a protocol over a distance of 6 meters (6minWT6) and to evaluate its reliability : intra-evaluator and test-retest.

The project focuses on the population of walking patients with MS. Inclusion: adults, confirmed diagnosis of MS, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score 3 to 6.5, or be able to walk 30 metres with or without aids, good understanding of French, have already completed a 6-minute walking test, be able to give consent by signature.

Exclusion: Lung disease, heart disease, co-morbidity preventing 6minWT, relapse in the last 3 months, chronic fatigue ≥ at 8 (Visual Analog Score-Fatigue or Rochester Fatigue Diary).

21 participants will be needed to obtain a good correlation coefficient, which is the objective of the validation of the new version of the 6minWT. The alpha was set at 0.01, the power at 0.9 for a correlation of 0.8.

Each patient will enter the study for one week, corresponding to two visits. The participant will perform the 6minWT6 and the 360 Degree Turn Test the first day and the 6minWT30 followed by the 6minWT6 after up to 45 minutes rest, the second day, a week apart.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 21

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Switzerland
  • Canton of Vaud
    • Lausanne, Canton of Vaud, Switzerland, 1011
      • Haute Ecole de Santé Vaud

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Multiple sclerosis patient able to walk at least 30 meters, Expanded Disability Status Scale from 3 to 6.5

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• adults
• confirmed diagnosis of MS
• Expanded Disability Status Scale score 3 to 6.5 or to be able to walk 30 meters with or without aids
• good understanding of French
• have already completed a 6-minute walk test
• to be able to give consent by signature

Exclusion Criteria:

• Lung disease
• Heart disease
• co-morbidity preventing 6minWT
• relapse in the last 3 months
• chronic fatigue ≥ at 8 (Visual Analog Scale- Fatigue)

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Other
• Time Perspectives: Cross-Sectional

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
The 6-minutes Walk Test on 6 Meters	The patient walk for 6 minutes back and forth in a 6-meter hallway turning around cones.	First test day

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
360 Degree Turn Test (Time)	The person must complete a full lap on himself or herself and the execution time is measured	First test day
360 Degree Turn Test (Number of Steps)	The person must complete a full lap on himself or herself and the number of steps is measured	First test day
6 Minute Walk Test on 30 Meters	The patient walk for 6 minutes back and forth in a 30-meter hallway turning around cones.	Second test day
The 6-minutes Walk Test on 6 Meters	The patient walk for 6 minutes back and forth in a 6-meter hallway turning around cones.	Second test day

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Haute Ecole de Santé Vaud
• Collaborators: University of Applied Sciences of Western Switzerland
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Kenny Guex, PhD, Haute Ecole de Santé Vaud

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): March 3, 2020
• Primary Completion (Actual): November 5, 2020
• Study Completion (Actual): November 5, 2020

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 10, 2020
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 10, 2020
• First Posted (Actual): January 14, 2020

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 4, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 3, 2026
• Last Verified: February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Nervous System Diseases; Autoimmune Diseases; Immune System Diseases; Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS; Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System; Demyelinating Diseases; Multiple Sclerosis; Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures; Diagnosis; Diagnostic Techniques, Cardiovascular; Heart Function Tests; Exercise Test; Walk Test
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2019-01864

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No