Reliability and a correlational analysis of the 6MWT, ten-meter walk test, thirty second sit to stand, and the linear analog scale of function in patients with head and neck cancer

Objective: The purpose of this study was to establish the test-retest reliability of and relationships between various measures of physical function in a cohort of individuals in the early treatment stages for head and neck cancer (HNC). Methods: The Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT), 30-Second Sit to Stand (30STS), and Linear Analog Scale of Function (LASF) were administered to 42 participants with a diagnosis of HNC. Test-retest reliability and correlations between the measures are reported. Results: The 6MWT, 10MWT, 30STS, and LASF demonstrate excellent test-retest reliability (ICC=0.901-0.960). The 6MWT exhibits a moderate to good relationship with the 10MWT (r=0.684, p<0.001), whereas the relationship between the 30STS and the 6MWT (r=0.407, p=0.007) and 10MWT (r=0.322, p=0.038) is fair. The LASF does not correlate significantly with the 6MWT, 10MWT, or 30STS. Conclusions: The 6MWT, 10MWT, 30STS, and LASF are reliable measurement instruments for patients treated for HNC. The 6MWT, 10MWT, and 30STS are significantly correlated suggesting they may measure subconstructs of physical function. The LASF does not correlate significantly with the 6MWT, 10MWT and 30STS in this sample.