Comparison of the 2- and 6- minute walk test in multiple sclerosis

Abstract

The 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) is often applied to assess walking distance in multiple sclerosis (MS) but. Yet, it can be both time consuming for the investigator and exhausting for the person with MS (pwMS). In present report, we compared the 6MWT scores of 40 ambulatory pwMS with their scores on the shorter 2-Minute Walk Test (2MWT). The 2MWT enabled to estimate the 6MWT result with a minimal mean relative error of 5% (R2=0.96; p<0.01). Also, the last 4-minute period of the 6MWT seems redundant. Consequently, the 2MWT may be considered as a practical replacement for the 6MWT in routine clinical assessment.