Tele-Assessment of Functional Capacity through the Six-Minute Walk Test in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus Type 2: Validity and Reliability of Repeated Measurements

Abstract

A tele-assessed 6MWT (TL 6MWT) could be an alternative method of evaluating functional capacity in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2). This study aimed to assess the validity and reliability of a TL 6MWT. The functional capacity of 28 patients with DM2 (75% men) aged 61 ± 13 years was evaluated twice via an indoor, center-based 6MWT (CB 6MWT) and twice outside each patient’s home via a web-based platform TL 6MWT. The study showed a high statistically significant correlation between the CB and TL 6MWT (Pearson’s r = 0.76, p < 0.001). Reliability testing showed no statistically significant differences in the distance covered (CB1: 492 ± 84 m and CB2: 506 ± 86 m versus TL1: 534 ± 87 m and TL2: 542 ± 93 m, respectively) and in the best distance of the TL 6MWT (545 ± 93 m) compared to the best CB distance (521 ± 83 m). Strong internal reliability for both the CB (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.93) and the TL 6MWT (ICC = 0.98) was found. The results indicate that a TL 6MWT performed outdoors can be a highly valid and reliable tool to assess functional capacity in patients with DM2. No learning effect between the TL and CB assessment was found, minimizing the need for repetition.

Test–retest reliability and agreement of remote home-based functional capacity self-administered assessments in community-dwelling, socially isolated older adults

“…Previous studies have shown that supervised functional capacity assessments are reliable in clinical and home settings. Recently, remote assessment applications have been demonstrated in various populations, including people living with cancer, 17 those with mobility disorders, 14 individuals with mental health conditions, 15 people living with type 2 diabetes, 16 and community-dwelling older adults 11 – 13 .…”

“…Web-based technologies, including gerontechnology, used at home, whether asynchronous or synchronous, have proven feasible and acceptable alternatives for community-dwelling older adults. 16 , 18 , 20 …”

“… 10 Previous studies have shown that supervised functional capacity assessments are reliable in clinical and home settings. Recently, studies have shown remote assessment applications in different populations, including community-dwelling older adults, 11 – 13 people living with mobility disorders, 14 mental health conditions, 15 diabetes mellitus type 2, 16 and cancer. 17 Web-based technologies using asynchronous and synchronous instructions have proven feasible and acceptable in community-dwelling older adults after minor injury 18 and in frail older adults, 19 becoming a promising opportunity that should be further explored.…”

Rehabilitation Is the Main Topic in Virtual and Augmented Reality and Physical Activity Research: A Bibliometric Analysis

“…Moreover, they are becoming essential tools in Biomedicine and Bioengineering because of their ability to provide accurate, interactive, and immersive simulations of biological systems [ 88 ]. Thus, these technologies make it possible to deliver home-based assessments and interventions or telehealth, potentially offering cost-effective alternatives in several areas [ 59 , 89 ]. Furthermore, multiple practical applications are also emerging in sports sciences to increase the population’s PA levels through exergames, performance enhancement programs with technical or tactical training applications, and sports injuries recovery.…”

“…Some AR and VR applications have demonstrated positive outcomes regarding the PA level [ 54 , 55 ]. For this purpose, VR has been used in healthy individuals [ 48 ] and in those with pathologies [ 39 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 ], as well as with different age groups [ 54 , 60 ], as active video games produce an energy expenditure equivalent to mild to moderate intensity PA [ 46 ].…”