The Role of the Six-minute Walk Test, Pulmonary Function Test, and Asthma Control Test in Asthmatic Patients-a Preliminary Report

Purpose: Asthma control is the main concern for related professionals when approaching asthmatic patients. In this study, we selected three different tools to understand asthma control status in patients with asthma.
Methods: Twenty-six patients with asthma were recruited in the study. These patients underwent pulmonary function testing with spirometry and the six-minute walk test, and completed an asthma control questionnaire (Asthma Control Test, ACT). In statistical analysis, the Spearman rank correlation and Pearson correlation coefficient were used for correlation between measured variables. For explanation, potential prediction variables were entered into a stepwise regression.
Results: Our results showed that ACT score was significantly correlated with forced vital capacity (FVC) % of the predicted value (r=0.273, p=0.177); forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1) % of the predicted value (r=0.209, p=0.017); resting Borg score (Rborg; r=-0.281, p=0.156); and resting oxygen saturation (RSpO2; r=0.390, p=0.049). The result of multiple linear regression with the ACT score as the dependent variable revealed only FEV1% of the predicted value was left in these patients (p=0.017, adjusted r square=0.182).
Conclusion: We applied multiple measures in evaluating asthmatic patients with more objective tools. This information should be useful for clinical professionals.