Efficacy and possible benefits of using the sit to stand test (5 repetitions or 1 minute) instead of the 6-minute walk test in pulmonary emphysema patients

Abstract

To evaluate which test is more tolerable to exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) measurements with 5 repetitions of sit to stand test (5 RSTS) and 1-minute sit to stand test (1 MSTS) and 6 MWT in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with pulmonary emphysema phenotype. This study included 128 participants with pulmonary emphysema phenotype and 67 healthy participants. 6-minute walking test (6 MWT), 1 MSTS, and 5 RSTS tests were applied to the participants, respectively. Severity of dyspnea (with Modified Borg Scale), heart rate, pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2, by pulse oximetry) during tests. Pulmonary function (with spirometry), quadriceps femoris muscle strength (with manual muscle testing), and FeNO measurements (with Bedfont NObreath) were evaluated. Both STS and 6 MWT outputs were lower in pulmonary emphysema patients than in healthy participants (p<0.05). In 6 MWT test, SPO2 decrease, pulse increase, FeNO increase was statistically significant in pulmonary emphysema patients. While 1 MSTS was more sensitive in predicting the sick ones, 5 RSTS was more specific in showing the healthy ones. Both STS create less cardiac and respiratory stress compared to 6 MWT, but also less exercise load. STS are performed in a short time in the outpatient setting in patients with pulmonary emphysema, making it easier to distinguish between the patient and the healthy people, and saves work and time.