Validity and Reproducibility of the Six-Minute Stepper Test in Cardiac Patients

The Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) traditionally assesses exercise capacity in cardiac patients but requires a large space. The Six-Minute Stepper Test (6MST) has been validated as an alternative in various populations. This study evaluates the reproducibility, sensitivity, and validity of the 6MST in 60 cardiac patients (15 women, 45 men, 58 ± 11.2 years). Participants underwent cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPET), two 6MSTs, and one 6MWT at the start and end of cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Performance in the 6MST improved significantly after CR (343 ± 89.0 vs. 451 ± 105.6 steps, p < 0.0001). The 6MST showed moderate correlation with the 6MWT and CPET (r = 0.54, p < 0.0001). Dyspnoea and leg fatigue were higher in the 6MST than in the 6MWT (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: The 6MST is a safe, valid, sensitive, and reproducible tool for evaluating exercise capacity in cardiac patients, comparable to the 6MWT.