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

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.