6-MINUTE PEGBOARD AND RING TEST IN PATIENTS WITH HEART FAILURE : AN ASSESSMENT OF VALIDITY, RELIABILITY AND MINIMAL DETECTABLE CHANGE

Abstract

Purpose: Our study aimed to assess the validity, reliability, and minimal detectable change (MDC) of the 6-Minute Pegboard and Ring Test (6PBRT) in patients with heart failure (pwHF). Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 37 pwHF. Upper extremity functional capacity was evaluated using the 6PBRT. The 6PBRT was executed twice to investigate within-session reliability. The upper extremity muscle strength was measured using a dynamometer. Functional capacity, activities of daily living, and quality of life were assessed with the Milliken Activities of Daily Living Scale (MAS), six-minute walk test (6MWT) and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ), respectively. Results: Reliability was excellent for 6PBRT, with an ICC of 0.957 (95% CI, 0.863 to 0.982). The MDC of the 6PBRT was 23.75 rings. The 6PBRT was strongly correlated with functional class (rho=-0.778, p<0.001), MAS (r=0.670, p<0.001) and 6MWT distance (r=0.626, p<0.001), and moderately correlated with age (r=-0.513, p=0.001), shoulder abductor (dominant r=0.580, p<0.001), shoulder flexor (dominant r=0.543, p=0.001), elbow extensor (dominant r=0.428, p=0.008), elbow flexor muscle strength (dominant rho=0.469, p=0.003), and MLHFQ (rho=-0.442, p=0.006). Conclusion: The 6PBRT provides a valid and reliable assessment of upper extremity functional capacity in pwHF. Executing 6PBRT at least twice is recommended to avoid the learning effect.