Physiological responses to the Glittre-ADL test in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the physiological responses induced by the Glittre-ADL test (TGlittre) test in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and compare them with those induced by the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational study. SUBJECTS: Eighteen patients with COPD 66 years (standard deviation (SD) 8) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s of 40.4% (SD 16.8) predicted) who performed in randomized order the 6MWT and TGlittre on 2 separate days. RESULTS: Baseline cardiopulmonary variables were similar between the 6MWT and TGlittre (p > 0.05). TGlittre induced slightly higher final VO2 than 6MWT 83.6 ml/min (SD 163.9); p < 0.05) and oxygen consumption (VO2) reached a plateau after the third lap during TGlittre. The other physiological variables, except respiratory exchange rate, were similar at the end of both tests (p > 0.05). All measured variables were significantly correlated between the 2 tests (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: TGlittre can induce slightly higher oxygen uptake than the 6MWT with similar cardiovascular and ventilatory demand and ventilatory efficiency.