A symptom-limited incremental step test determines maximum physiological responses in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

A symptom-limited incremental step test, externally paced, elicits maximal cardiopulmonary and metabolic responses, and is well tolerated and reproducible in patients with COPD.

Simple Lower Limb Functional Tests in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systematic Review

“…Poor -Costa et al 44 6MST -Fair -Pessoa et al 49 6MST 45 Karloh et al 46 CST II Poor --Perrault et al 48 Step test -Fair -Starobin et al 54 15 …”

Alternative field exercise tests for people with respiratory conditions

“…In moderate to severe COPD, this test was reproducible for step number (ICC = 0.99) and physiological parameters (ICCs [ 0.93) [55], although a learning effect was demonstrated. However, VO 2 peak was higher in MIST compared to the CST in COPD [72].…”

“…Standard encouragement is given with the number of steps/minute recorded [55]. In individuals with ILD, it is a highly reproducible test (mean difference of 1.1 steps) and demonstrates strong convergent validity with VO 2 peak in CPET (r = 0.52).…”

“…The VO 2 peak in a 6MST is 90 % of that achieved during a CPET, while desaturation was comparable between tests. This suggests that in ILD, this field test is a suitable reflection of maximal exercise capacity, but may be better tolerated compared to a CPET [55].…”

“…The MIST is similar to the CST, but with a slower initial step rate (10 steps/min) and incremental size (2 steps/min), with the same criteria for test cessation [55,72], with the addition of an inability to maintain the pace for 15 s [72]. In moderate to severe COPD, this test was reproducible for step number (ICC = 0.99) and physiological parameters (ICCs [ 0.93) [55], although a learning effect was demonstrated.…”