The 1-Minute Sit-to-Stand Test in Lung Transplant Candidates: An Easy-to-Use Alternative to the 6-Minute Walk Test?

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The 6-min walk test (6MWT) is a well-established functional exercise capacity test in lung transplant candidates. This study aimed to investigate the construct validity of the 1-min sit-to-stand test (1-min STS) as a marker of exercise capacity and knee extensor strength in lung transplantation candidates.
METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed data from consecutive subjects referred for lung transplantation evaluation to our institution between 2015 and 2018.
RESULTS
38 subjects were included. We found strong correlations between the normalized 1-min STS and 6MWT (r = 0.79, P < .001) and moderate correlations between 1-min STS and knee extensor strength (r = 0.53, P = .001) and between 6MWT and knee extensor strength (r = 0.44, P = .008). The 1-min STS elicited greater dyspnea (P = .008) and lower oxygen desaturation compared to the 6MWT (P < .001). The 1-min STS is a valid functional exercise capacity test in lung transplantation candidates. Our study may stimulate future research, including a head-to-head comparison between the 6MWT and 1-min STS in a large patient cohort including post-lung transplantation-monitoring.
CONCLUSIONS
Due to its ease of application, clinical practitioners may consider using the 1-min STS in situations when the 6MWT cannot be performed.