A New Clinically Applicable Measure of Functional Status in Patients With Heart Failure: The 60-Foot Walk Test

This study reports the development and predictive value of the 60-foot walk test (60ftWT), a brief functional status measure for patients with heart failure (HF). The goal was to develop a test suitable for clinical settings and appropriate for patients with walking impairments.

The 6-min walk test (6MWT) has considerable predictive value, but requires a long walking course and has limited utility in patients with mobility-related comorbidities. A shorter, more clinically practical test is therefore needed.

A total of 144 patients (age 57.4 ± 11.4 years; 111 males) with symptomatic HF received baseline assessments using the 60ftWT, 6MWT, and self-reported symptom and health status. Patients were tested 3 months later to determine stability of assessments. HF hospitalizations or death from any cause were recorded for 3.5 years following baseline.

Median 60ftWT completion time was 26 s (interquartile range: 22 to 31 s). Longer 60ftWT time was associated with shorter 6MWT distance (r = -0.75; p < 0.001), and with higher symptom severity at baseline (r = -0.40; p < 0.001). Longer 60ftWT times also predicted increases in 6MWT and symptoms from baseline to 3 months (p < 0.01). Both WTs predicted long-term clinical outcomes, with patients taking longer than 31 s to complete the 60ftWT at greatest risk for HF hospitalization or death (hazard ratio: 2.13; 95% confidence interval: 1.18 to 3.84; p = 0.01).

The 60ftWT is an easily administered functional status measure that predicts adverse events, symptoms, and health status. It has the potential for considerable clinical utility to help identify patients at risk for future events and to calibrate treatments designed to improve functional status and quality of life.