Association between the 6-minute walk test and exercise confidence in patients with heart failure: A prospective observational study.

Abstract

Exercise confidence predicts exercise adherence in heart failure (HF) patients. The association between simple tests of functional capacity on exercise confidence are not known. To evaluate the association between a single 6-min walk test (6MWT) and exercise confidence in HF patients. Observational study enrolling HF outpatients who completed the Cardiac Depression Scale and an Exercise Confidence Survey at baseline and following the 6MWT. Paired t-test was used to compare repeated-measures data, while Repeated Measures Analysis of Covariance was used for multivariate analysis. 106 HF patients were enrolled in the study (males, 82%; mean age, 64 ± 12 years). Baseline Exercise Confidence was inversely associated with age (p < 0.01), NYHA class (p < 0.001), and depression (p < 0.001). The 6MWT was associated with an improvement in Exercise Confidence (F(1,92) = 5.0, p = 0.03) after adjustment for age, gender, HF duration, NYHA class and depression. The 6MWT is associated with improved exercise confidence in HF patients.