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Does the Incremental Shuttle Walk Test Predict the Development of a Hospital Acquired Pneumonia in Patients Undergoing Elective Oesophagectomy: A Prospective Cohort Study

Does the Incremental Shuttle Walk Test Predict the Development of a Hospital Acquired Pneumonia in Patients Undergoing Elective Oesophagectomy: A Prospective Cohort Study

Status
Completed
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Observational
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04440124
Enrollment
121
Registered
2020-06-19
Start date
2017-12-01
Completion date
2020-02-01
Last updated
2020-06-19

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Oesophageal Cancer

Keywords

physiotherapy, shuttle walk test, hospital acquired pneumonia, outcomes, oesophagectomy

Brief summary

The purpose of this study was to assess the predictive value of the incremental shuttle walk test on rates of hospital acquired pneumonia for patients undergoing oesophagectomy.

Detailed description

Field tests to objectively measure functional capacity are becoming of greater importance when looking to assess an individual's fitness for surgery. One such field test is the incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT). An externally paced, maximal excursion test, the ISWT is a simple and easily reproducible test that is widely used within cardiac and pulmonary populations and shown to correlate well with Vo2 mas on a cardiopulmonary exercise test. Previous studies looking at the benefit of the ISWT in predicting post-operative outcomes within the oesophagastric population have demonstrated that walking less than 350 meters has been associated with significantly higher rates of mortality at 30 days and 3 years. No correlation between ISWT and postoperative respiratory complications in this surgical population has been previously reported. This study aims to assess whether walking \<350 meters on an ISWT predicts the development of hospital acquired pneumonias following an elective oesophagectomy

Interventions

All patients were reviewed by a physiotherapist during their pre-assessment clinic one week prior to surgery to complete an incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT). The ISWT was completed according to a standardised protocol and involved patients walking around 2 cones set up 9 metres apart. Patients were asked to cover the distance between the cones in time to auditory cues. Oxygen levels and heart rate were recorded during the assessment with the use of a portable pulse oximeter. The test was stopped when patients could no longer keep pace with the auditory cues or were too breathless to continue. The total distance mobilised was recorded.

Sponsors

University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Consecutive patients with a diagnosis of oesophagogastric cancer listed for an elective oesophagectomy at a large UK tertiary hospital

Exclusion criteria

* Patients who were unable to complete the walking test * patients deemed not fit for surgery * patients with a significant neurological event peri or post operatively

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Hospital acquired pneumoniaduring hospital stay, on average 14 daysThe incidence of hospital acquired pneumonia as defined by the US centres for Disease Control

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
30 day Mortality30 days after date of surgeryMortality rates 30 days post operatively
90 day Mortality90 days following date of surgeryMortality rates 90 days post operatively

Countries

United Kingdom

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026