Gait speed in knee osteoarthritis: A simple 10-meter walk test predicts the distance covered in the 6-minute walk test

Background: The 6 -Minute Walk Test (6MWT) is a common performance -measure in Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA), but the pain and functional impairment characterizing the condition may interfere its adequate performance. Objectives: The shorter 10-m Walk Test (10mWT) could predict the distance performed on the 6MWT, therefore decreasing the burden on patients, enhancing efficiency, and reducing space- and time -constraints in clinical settings. Design: A cross sectional study was conducted. Methods: The scores from the 6MWT and the shorter 10mWT of 58 ambulatory subjects with KOA were compared. Correlation, and a univariate regression analysis to explore the predictive ability of the 10mWT, were calculated. Results: Correlation was excellent (r = 0.913, p-value<0.001), and the predictive equation based on the 10mWT scores (R-2 = 0.834, p-value<0.001) estimates the distance walked in the 6MWT with a relative error of 7.62%. Conclusions: The 10mWT may be an excellent assessment -tool to predict the distance walked in the 6MWT, due to its low strain on patients and as a means of improving efficiency and reducing time -constraints.