Asthma
Conditions
Keywords
Asthma, Exercise Testing, Validity and Reliability, Field Walking Test
Brief summary
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that can negatively affect exercise tolerance and functional capacity due to airway inflammation, variable airflow limitation, and symptom-related activity avoidance. Reduced physical activity levels and exercise-induced symptoms often lead to physical deconditioning, which may further impair cardiorespiratory fitness and daily functional performance in individuals with asthma. There is substantial evidence supporting the use of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) for the evaluation of exercise capacity in patients with respiratory diseases. However, it is not known whether the use of the 6-minute stepper test (6-MST) is a valid and reliable test for the assessment of functional exercise capacity in patients with asthma. The aim of this study is to investigate the reliability and validity of the 6-MST for evaluating functional exercise capacity in individuals with asthma.
Detailed description
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways, characterized by variable airflow obstruction, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and respiratory symptoms including wheezing, dyspnea, and chest tightness. Although pharmacological treatment remains the cornerstone of asthma management, the evaluation of functional capacity and exercise tolerance has become increasingly important, particularly in individuals with moderate to severe asthma.Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is regarded as the gold standard for the comprehensive assessment of cardiovascular, ventilatory, and musculoskeletal system performance through a multidimensional approach. It provides detailed measurements of oxygen uptake (VO₂), carbon dioxide production (VCO₂), ventilatory thresholds, heart rate responses, and subjective symptoms such as dyspnea and fatigue related to musculoskeletal performance. Nevertheless, CPET requires specialized equipment and trained personnel and may not be feasible in all clinical settings, particularly for routine follow-up or in environments with limited technical resources. In contrast, the 6-minute stepper test (6-MST) has gained attention as a practical, low-cost alternative that requires minimal equipment for the assessment of functional capacity. The 6-MST consists of stepping up and down on a fixed-height platform for six minutes, with the total number of steps used as an indicator of endurance. Owing to its minimal space and equipment requirements, the test is well suited for outpatient settings, home-based rehabilitation programs, and telerehabilitation applications. However, it is not known whether the 6 MST is valid and reliable in assessing functional exercise capacity in patients with asthma. Therefore, the aim is to examine the validity and reliability of the 6 MST in patients with asthma. The study was planned as a retrospective study. All patients' clinical data, maximal exercise capacity, functional exercise capacity pulmonary function, dyspnea, and quality of life were assessed.The results will be analysed and interpreted using appropriate statistical analysis methods.
Interventions
None listed
Sponsors
Gazi University
Study design
Observational model
CASE_ONLY
Time perspective
RETROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Age \> 18 years * Diagnosis of asthma established according to the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines * Use of standard asthma pharmacological treatment, including: inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), low-dose ICS in combination with long-acting β₂-agonists (LABA), or mild to high doses of ICS in combination with LABA * Asthma Control Test (ACT) score ≥ 20 * Smoking history of ≤ 10 pack-years
Exclusion criteria
* Presence of a recent respiratory tract infection * Use of systemic corticosteroids within the past year * History of smoking * Previous or current malignancy * Presence of any medical condition that could affect functional exercise capacity * Presence of any psychiatric disorder
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 6-minute Stepper Test | First day | The test was performed with a stepper device positioned 20 cm above the ground. Participants were instructed to perform stepping movements as rapidly and rhythmically as possible at a self-selected pace. Standardized verbal encouragement was provided at one-minute intervals throughout the test. Participants were advised that they were permitted to pause and rest during the test if they experienced symptoms severe enough to prevent continued stepping, and that all rest periods would be included in the total test duration. Total number of step were recorded. |
| Oxygen consumption (Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test) | Second day | Oxygen consumption was measured with Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test. The CPET was performed using a gradually increasing workload protocol with breath-by-breath measurement on a treadmill. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pulmonary function (Forced vital capacity (FVC)) | First day | Pulmonary function testing was conducted in the upright seated position using a spirometer in accordance with the standards established by the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and the European Respiratory Society (ERS). With the device, forced vital capacity (FVC) was assessed. |
| Pulmonary function (Forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1)) | First day | Pulmonary function testing was conducted in the upright seated position using a spirometer in accordance with the standards established by the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and the European Respiratory Society (ERS). With the device, forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) was assessed. |
| Pulmonary function (FEV1 / FVC) | First day | Pulmonary function testing was conducted in the upright seated position using a spirometer in accordance with the standards established by the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and the European Respiratory Society (ERS). With the device, FEV1 / FVC was assessed. |
| Pulmonary function (Flow rate 25-75% of forced expiratory volume (FEF 25-75%)) | First day | Pulmonary function testing was conducted in the upright seated position using a spirometer in accordance with the standards established by the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and the European Respiratory Society (ERS). With the device, flow rate 25-75% of forced expiratory volume (FEF 25-75%) was assessed. |
| Pulmonary function (Peak flow rate (PEF)) | First day | Pulmonary function testing was conducted in the upright seated position using a spirometer in accordance with the standards established by the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and the European Respiratory Society (ERS). With the device, peak flow rate (PEF)) was assessed. |
| Dyspnea (Modified Borg Scale) | First day | The assessment of dyspnea was conducted using the Modified Borg Scale (MBS).This scale was graded between 0 (nothing at all) and 10 (very very hard). Higher score mean worse dyspnea. |
| Dyspnea (Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale) | First day | The assessment of dyspnea was conducted using the Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale (MMRC). The scale was graded from 0 to 4. Higher score mean worse dyspnea. |
| Disease-specific Quality of Life | First day | Disease-specific quality of life was assessed using the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ), which consists of 32 items across 8 sections and is scored on a 7-point Likert scale ranging from 1 to 7. The AQLQ evaluates quality of life in four disease-related domains: symptoms (12 items), activity limitations (11 items), emotional functioning (5 items), and environmental stimuli (4 items). Higher scores in each domain, as well as higher total AQLQ scores, reflect better disease-specific quality of life. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Contacts
STUDY_DIRECTORMERAL BOŞNAK GÜÇLÜ
Gazi University
STUDY_CHAIRNİHAN KATAYIFÇI
Gazi University
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORFURKAN ÖZDEMİR
Çankırı Karatekin University
Outcome results
None listed