Abstract
BACKGROUND: The 2-min walk test (2MWT) may be a simple and easy measurement of exercise tolerance for vertebral compression fracture (VCF) patients. But, the validity and reliability of the 2MWT in patients with VCFs have not been verified. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the validity and reliability of the 2MWT in VCF patients. METHODS: Ten patients with VCFs were selected from the inpatient convalescence rehabilitation ward. These patients were required to walk for a minimum of 6 minutes. The study was conducted over three test days. On the first and second test days, the participants completed one trial of the 2MWT each day. These data were used in the analyses for an intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC [1,1]). On the third test day, participants completed the 6-min walk test (6MWT). These data assessed the construct validity of the 2MWT. Participants completed testing on 3 days within a 5-day period. RESULTS: A significant correlation was found between the 2MWT and the 6MWT (r=0.945; p<0.05), which suggested a high construct validity of the 2MWT. The intraclass correlation coefficient of the repeated 2MWTs was high (ICC=0.98; p<0.05), intimating that it had a high test-retest reliability. CONCLUSION: The 2MWT is a valid test for the assessment of exercise capacity in patients with VCFs. It is practical, simple, and well tolerated by patients with VCFs.