What is the 6-minute walk test (6MWT)?
The six-minute walk test (6MWT) measures the distance an individual is able to walk over a total of six minutes on a hard, flat surface. The goal is for the individual to walk as far as possible in six minutes. The individual is allowed to self-pace and rest as needed as they traverse back and forth along a marked walkway.
Purpose:
- To evaluate cardiovascular and respiratory disease
- To assess functional capacity and evaluate undiagnosed exercise intolerance
- To help predict the risk of death and illness in specific patient groups
- To evaluate unexplained breathlessness and symptoms that are out of proportion to resting test results
- To assess the need for oxygen therapy and help guide its prescription.
- To evaluate response to therapy / intervention
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Before your test
Take your usual medicines, including your inhalers, unless your doctor or our reception team has told you otherwise. Wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes, avoid a large meal for 2 hours and vigorous exercise for 1 hour before the test, and bring your usual walking aid and any prescribed oxygen. If you have also been booked for spirometry or other breathing tests, follow the inhaler preparation guide for those tests.
After your test
Your tests are performed by a respiratory scientist and reported by one of our respiratory physicians. The report is sent to your referring doctor within two weeks. If your GP referred you for the tests only, your GP goes through the results with you and can ask us for a consultation if the report recommends one; if you are already seeing one of our physicians, the results are discussed at your next appointment. If you have not heard from your doctor three weeks after the test, call (03) 9422 0077.