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The six-minute walk test (6MWT) can assess walking function but is time-consuming. We investigate the correlation of performance over the first two minutes of the 6MWT (2MWT#) and the 6MWT. We also evaluate the 2MWT#'s ability to predict 6MWT results, assess correlations to secondary explanatory outcomes, and assess the ability to discriminate between clinical subgroups. A cross-sectional study of 124 participants with LBP. Correlations between the 2MWT# and 6MWT and secondary outcomes were evaluated using the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient. The predictive ability of the 2MWT# was defined as the residual distance between the observed 6MWT and three times the 2MWT#. Differences between clinical subgroups were evaluated using the Wilcoxon rank test. The 2MWT# and 6MWT correlated highly (r = 83, 95% CI 0.76 − 0.87). The 2MWT# overestimated 6MWT results with 46.8 meters (SD 67.0). Both tests correlated with secondary outcomes and discriminated similarly between clinical subgroups. The 2MWT# correlates highly with 6MWT but overestimates the observed 6MWT by 9%. Because it is shorter, possibly less burdensome, and with little or no loss of discriminatory ability, we consider it a legitimate alternative to the 6MWT in patients with LBP. Walking function is often affected in patients with low back pain (LBP). The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is frequently used to assess walking function but is time-consuming. A shorter two-minute walk test is a legitimate alternative in patients with LBP as it correlates highly with the 6MWT and has little or no loss of discriminatory ability between clinical subgroups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Multiple myeloma is a cancer in the bone marrow causing bone destruction. Patients experience various symptoms related to the disease and/or treatment, such as pain and fatigue, leading to poorer quality of life. The symptom burden might affect physical function and physical activity levels, posing a risk of physical deterioration. The aim was to investigate whether physical function in newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma differs from the reference values of the normal population and other cancer patients., Methods: The study is a cross sectional descriptive analysis of a prospective cohort of 100 patients newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Four physical function tests were carried out; Six-Minute-Walk-Test, Sit-to-Stand-Test, grip strength and knee extension strength. Age and gender specific results of physical function from the multiple myeloma population were compared to normative data and to data from other cancer populations., Results: Of the 100 patients included, 73% had bone disease and 55% received pain relieving medicine. Mean age was 67.7 years (SD 10.3). Patients with multiple myeloma had significantly poorer physical function compared to normative data, both regarding aerobic capacity and muscle strength, although not grip strength. No differences in physical function were found between patients with multiple myeloma and other cancer populations., Conclusions: Physical function in newly diagnosed Danish patients with multiple myeloma is lower than in the normal population. Exercise intervention studies are warranted to explore the value of physical exercise on physical function., Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, ID NCT02439112, registered 8 May 2015.

Background: The 10-meter Walking Test (10MWT) is often used to assess people with, e.g., stroke, but often using different procedures. The aims of this study were to translate the 10MWT into Danish, to determine the number of trials needed to achieve performance stability, and to examine the interrater reliability and agreement of the 10MWT in people with neurological disorders., Methods: Translation followed international recommendations, and evaluated in a consecutive sample of 50 people with a neurological disorder. All participants performed 5 timed 10MWT trials (usual speed) with 20-seconds rest intervals between trials, supervised by a physical therapist. A second session was conducted with another physical therapist, separated with a mean (SD) of 2.7 (0.9) hours. The order of raters was randomized and they were blinded to each other's ratings. Repeated measures ANOVA determined performance stability, while ICC1.1, standard error of measurement (SEM), and minimal detectable change (MDC95) determined reproducibility., Results: Participant's improved their 10MWT scores significantly between the first and second trial only. The faster of the 2 trials took a mean of 11.95 (5.40) seconds, and significantly (P < 0.001) faster than the slowest; mean of 12.80 (6.13) seconds. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC; 95% confidence interval), SEM, and MDC, based on the fastest of 2 trials, were 0.97 (0.95-0.98), 0.06 m/s, and 0.17 m/s, respectively, and with no systematic between rater's bias., Conclusions: We suggest that the faster of 2 timed trials be recorded for the 10MWT in people with neurological disorders, as we found excellent interrater reliability and low measurement error using this score., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The importance of interlead electrical delays (IEDs) in the presence of scar tissue for response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy is poorly described., Methods: Sixty-eight CRT patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and left bundle branch block were included. IEDs, the time between sensing of native impulse at the RV lead and LV lead, were measured at implantation and after 8 months. Magnetic resonance imaging was used for assessment of scar tissue. Echocardiographic response was defined as ≥ 15% decrease in left ventricular end-systolic volume. New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire, and 6-minute walk-test were used to assess clinical response., Results: A total of 44 patients (65 %) were responders to CRT. At implantation, IEDs were significantly longer among responders compared to nonresponders (RV-LV-IED: 87 ms ± 33 ms vs 65 ms ± 47 ms, P < 0.05), most evident in patients with QRS < 150 ms. Responders had less myocardial scar tissue than nonresponders (1 ± 0.5 vs 1.4 ± 0.6, P = 0.01). However, in the multivariate model including QRS duration and scar tissue, IEDs were independently associated with LV remodeling after CRT: odds ratio 3.99 [95% confidence interval 1.02-15.7] (P = 0.04). During the course of treatment, no changes were observed in IEDs among echocardiographic responders., Conclusion: RV-LV-IED was an independent marker of response in CRT patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy even in the presence of scar tissue and may be particularly useful in patients with QRS < 150 ms. CRT did not influence this measurement over time., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: The positive impact of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in patients with COPD is well documented. However, little is known regarding the effect of this treatment in community-based settings. Since 2007, all Danish municipalities have been offering PR to patients with moderate to severe COPD, whereas patients with very severe disease or those suffering from many comorbidities were referred to outpatient hospital-based PR., Objective: To analyze the effect of a standardized PR program conducted in a community-based setting on exercise capacity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL)., Methods: This is a real-life study including data from patients attending PR at one of the 33 healthcare centers in Denmark during the period 2011-2012. For the purpose of registration and for quality assurance, the KOALA database was established and this web-based registration instrument was offered free of charge to every municipality. Measures included sociodemographic and health-related variables and outcomes were exercise capacity and HRQoL assessed by 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) and the 15D questionnaire, respectively, at the beginning (baseline) and after completion of PR. Relative improvements in 6MWD and 15D were analyzed with multivariable linear models in patients who attended >50% of the sessions., Results: A total of 581 patients completed the PR (72% of those included). We found statistically significant and clinically meaningful differences between baseline and end of rehabilitation values for both main outcomes with a mean change in 6MWD of 45 m, and the magnitude of improvement corresponds to other findings. Furthermore, relative improvements in 6MWD and 15D were correlated, as was the relative change in 15D and baseline Medical Research Council scores., Conclusion: Standardized, multidisciplinary PR conducted in a community-based setting showed good adherence to the program and produced effects on exercise capacity and HRQoL that were clinically meaningful and comparable in size to hospital-based PR., Competing Interests: Disclosure The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.