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Assessment of walking performance with the 6-minute walk test and 2-minute walk test in healthy and ageing populations and in stroke survivors: a cross-cultural study in Belgium and Vietnam

par Nguyen, Thanh Duy
Président du jury Baudry, Stéphane
Promoteur Sauvage, Chloé
Co-Promoteur Penta, Massimo
Publication Non publié, 2025-07-01

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Résumé :

Walking is fundamental for maintaining functional independence and overall health. Aging and stroke, two prevalent health concerns worldwide, are frequently associated with reduced walking performance. The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) is a standard tool used to measure functional exercise capacity, monitor treatment response, and track disease progression. However, its duration and physical demands may limit its feasibility in certain populations. The 2-minute walk test (2MWT), which demonstrated strong correlations with the 6MWT, has emerged as a promising alternative. This doctoral dissertation investigated the equivalence between the 2MWT and the 6MWT in healthy adults, older individuals, and stroke survivors. To that end, the present work was divided into three studies.The first study established normative reference values and prediction equations for both tests in healthy adults from Belgium and Vietnam, providing evidence of their cross-cultural relevance and providing a normative database for clinical use.The second study evaluated walking performance in elderly individuals residing either in the community or in nursing homes in Belgium. Excellent reliability, high correlations, and comparable discriminatory capacity were observed between the 2MWT and the 6MWT, supporting the feasibility and clinical value of the 2MWT in geriatric settings, particularly where fatigue, time, and space are limiting factors.The third study examined walking performance in acute and subacute stroke survivors in comparison with healthy individuals in both Belgium and Vietnam. High test–retest reliability and strong correlations between the two tests were found, along with similar associations with clinical and anthropometric variables.In conclusion, this doctoral dissertation provides consistent evidence that the 2MWT is equivalent to the 6MWT for assessing walking performance in healthy adults, elderly individuals, and stroke survivors across different cultural contexts.