Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026
Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
Published on: June 16, 2014
Assessment of functional capacity in children with chronic kidney disease using various field tests
Merve Firat1, Aydan Asli Aksel-Uylar2, Melda Saglam2
1Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, Kırşehir, Türkiye. mervefirat@ahievran.edu.tr.
Insights
Children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) experience reduced functional capacity. The 2-minute walk test (2MWT) is an efficient alternative to the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), with the 3-minute step test (3MST) also viable.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing
- Clinical Assessment
Background:
- Children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) often exhibit diminished functional capacity.
- Assessing functional capacity is crucial for managing pediatric CKD.
- Field-based functional tests offer valuable insights into physical limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the functional capacity of children with CKD using the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), 2-minute walk test (2MWT), and 3-minute step test (3MST).
- To explore correlations between these functional tests.
- To determine children's preferred functional assessment method.
Main Methods:
- Fifty-one children with CKD (mean age 13.7 years) underwent 6MWT, 2MWT, and 3MST.
- Quadriceps muscle strength (QMS) and hand grip strength (HGS) were measured.
- Participants indicated their preferred test.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in field test performance were found between early and advanced CKD stages (p > 0.05).
- Advanced CKD was associated with lower dominant quadriceps muscle strength (p = 0.023).
- The 6MWT and 2MWT were equally preferred (43.1% each), followed by the 3MST (13.8%). Moderate positive correlations existed between 6MWT and 2MWT (r=0.669) and 6MWT and 3MST (r=0.422).
Conclusions:
- Peripheral muscle strength declines in advanced stages of pediatric CKD.
- The 2MWT serves as a practical, time-efficient alternative to the 6MWT for assessing functional capacity in children with CKD.
- The 3MST is a suitable option when walking tests are not feasible.
Background:
Children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) often have a reduced functional capacity. The study aimed to evaluate the functional capacity of children with CKD by using three field tests: 6 min walk (6MWT), 2 min walk (2MWT), and 3 min step test (3MST), and investigate relationships between these tests and to determine which tests patients prefer.
Methods:
This study evaluated 51 children with CKD (19 female, 32 male). The 6MWT, 2MWT, and 3MST were used to measure functional capacity. After performing the tests, participants reported their preferred one. Quadriceps muscle strength (QMS) and hand grip strength (HGS) were assessed using dynamometers.
Results:
The mean age of the patients was 13.7 ± 3.2 years. A total of 22 patients (43.1%) were in stage 2 CKD, 13 patients (25.5%) in stage 3, six patients (11.8%) in stage 4, two patients (3.9%) in stage 5 non-dialysis (3.9%) and eight patients (15.7%) in stage 5 on dialysis. No statistically significant differences were observed between the early and advanced CKD groups for any of the field tests (p > 0.05). However, the early CKD group had a significantly higher dominant QMS than the advanced CKD group (p = 0.023). Most children preferred walking tests (6MWT: 43.1%; 2MWT: 43.1%), while 13.8% preferred the 3MST. Moderate positive correlations were found between 6 and 2MWT (r = 0.669, p < 0.001) and between 6MWT and 3MST (r = 0.422, p = 0.002).
Conclusions:
Peripheral muscle strength was deteriorated in advanced CKD. The 2MWT is a practical and time-efficient alternative to the 6MWT. The 3MST remains a viable option when walking tests are not feasible.
Trial Registration:
NCT06683339.
More Related Videos
09:18Measurements of Motor Function and Other Clinical Outcome Parameters in Ambulant Children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Published on: January 12, 2019
11:29Measuring the Functional Abilities of Children Aged 3-6 Years Old with Observational Methods and Computer Tools
Published on: June 20, 2020
Related Concept Videos
01:24Serum Studies: Renal Function Tests
01:17Factors Affecting Renal Clearance: Renal Impairment
One condition associated with renal failure is uremia. Uremia is characterized by impaired glomerular filtration and fluid accumulation in the body. This condition hinders the renal clearance of drugs, resulting in drug accumulation and potential...
01:28Drug Dosing in Renal Diseases: Estimation of Glomerular Filtration Rate Based on Serum Creatinine Concentration
01:28Chronic Kidney Disease III: Interprofessional Care
01:22Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test
01:25Drug Dosing in Renal Diseases: Measurement of Glomerular Filtration Rate