Faculty Advisor(s)
Elizabeth Cyr
Document Type
Course Paper
Publication Date
Spring 2023
Rights
© 2023 The Authors
Abstract
Background and Purpose Post-COVID Condition (PCC) is defined as the presence of symptoms related to SARS-CoV-2 four weeks past the initial infection. The SARS-CoV-2 virus impacts many organs and body systems. The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is a standardized measure of cardiovascular endurance commonly used in physical therapy practice. Use of the 6MWT has been studied in specific patient populations (e.g., geriatrics, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder). The purpose of this case report is to discuss the utility of the 6MWT as a measure of walking capacity in individuals with PCC.
Case Description The patient was a 46-year-old female diagnosed with PCC who presented to outpatient physical therapy with impaired cardiopulmonary endurance, including difficulty breathing, shortness of breath with exertion, and generalized muscle weakness. The patient had persistent pulmonary symptoms that impacted her ability to perform activities of daily living and recreational activities. The 6MWT was used to measure changes in cardiopulmonary endurance and walking capacity during her course of care. Interventions included whole body strengthening and aerobic exercise.
Outcomes The patient demonstrated significant improvements in her cardiopulmonary endurance as demonstrated by an increase in the 6MWT distance (from 450 meters to 588 meters) and patient-reported symptoms.
Discussion The 6MWT may be an appropriate outcome measure for monitoring change following physical therapy intervention for PCC. Further research is required to determine the psychometric properties of the 6MWT for this patient population.
Recommended Citation
Angellano, Jason; Ferreira, Alexander M.; McGonagle, Colleen; Ren, Yurong; and Tran, Michael, "The Effectiveness Of The Six Minute Walk Test For Tracking Progress In Patients With Post-COVID Condition: A Case Report" (2023). Case Report Papers. 131.
https://dune.une.edu/pt_studcrpaper/131