Procedures and measurement properties of the 6-min step test: A systematic review with clinical recommendations.

OBJECTIVE: To provide information regarding the procedures, safety, tolerability, and measurement properties of the 6-min step test. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus (from inception until January 2024). REVIEW METHODS: Studies that examined adults with acute or chronic diseases, and outcomes related to procedures, safety, tolerability, or measurement properties of the 6-min step test were included. Outcome data were summarized and combined in meta-analyses. The quality of included studies was assessed by the Consensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments checklist, and the quality of evidence was determined according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system. RESULTS: Fourteen studies, involving 847 participants, were included. All studies performed the 6-min step test in 6 min; however, some studies varied the step height and the use of upper limb support. The test appears to be safe and well tolerated by individuals. Moderate- to high-quality evidence demonstrated appropriate results for test-retest reliability (4 studies; Intraclass correlation coefficient 0.96; 95% CI 0.91-0.98; n = 125), criterion validity (4 studies; r = 0.53; 95% CI 0.30-0.71; n = 307), and construct validity (4 studies; r = 0.63; 95% CI 0.52-0.73; n = 233). CONCLUSION: This review provides recommendations for applying the 6-min step test in clinical and research settings. No adverse events were reported, and the test appears to be well tolerated. Adequate results were found for test-retest reliability, criterion validity, and construct validity. REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO (CRD42022347744).

Manual Therapy Applied to the Cervial Joint Reduces Pain and Improves Jaw Function in Individuals with Temporomandibular Disorders: A Systematic Review on Manual Therapy for Orofacial Disorders.

AIMS: To examine the effect of manual therapy applied to the cervical joint for reducing pain and improving mouth opening and jaw function in people with TMDs. METHODS: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials was performed. Participants were adults diagnosed with TMDs. The experimental intervention was manual therapy applied to the cervical joint compared to no intervention/placebo. Outcome data relating to orofacial pain intensity, pressure pain threshold (PPT), maximum mouth opening, and jaw function were extracted and combined in meta-analyses. RESULTS: The review included five trials involving 213 participants, of which 90% were women. Manual therapy applied to the cervical joint decreased orofacial pain (mean difference: -1.8 cm; 95% CI: -2.8 to -0.9) and improved PPT (mean difference: 0.64 kg/cm2; 95% CI: 0.02 to 1.26) and jaw function (standardized mean difference: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.3 to 1.0). CONCLUSION: Manual therapy applied to the cervical joint had short-term benefits for reducing pain intensity and improving jaw function in women with TMDs. Further studies are needed to improve the quality of the evidence and to investigate the maintenance of benefits beyond the intervention period.