The goal of this clinical research study is to compare the 6-minute walk test with the exercise stress test, in patients who may have lung surgery. Researchers want to find out if the 6-minute walk test is as good as the exercise stress test at predicting possible complications that may occur after lung surgery.
Description of the Study Tests: The exercise stress test is commonly used for predicting possible complications that may occur after lung surgery. The 6-minute walk test is a simpler test that does not require as much equipment. 6-Minute Walk Test: If you agree to take part in this research study, you will be asked to perform two 6-minute walk tests along with your routine exercise stress test. Both 6-minute walk tests will be done within 15 Days of the already scheduled exercise stress test if your clinical condition does not change during that time period. The 6-minute walk tests should be done at least 2 hours before or 1 hour after the exercise stress test. The second 6-minute walk test may be done 20 minutes after the first one. If you had a 6-minute walk test done within 15 Days before enrolling in the study, it can be used for the study. To perform the 6-minute walk tests, you will walk as far as possible around cones on a flat indoor course that is about 40 yards long. You will walk at your own pace and can take breaks at any time if necessary. After the 6 minutes, the study staff will tell you the total distance you have walked. Researchers will compare the distances you walked for the two 6-minute walk tests with the results of the exercise stress test. The walk test results will not affect your treatment plan. Other Study Procedures: Before and after the walk tests, the following procedures will be performed. Your blood pressure will be measured. You will be asked about any shortness of breath and/or fatigue you may have. Before, during, and for about 1 minute after the walk tests, your heart rate will be measured. A device that looks like a clothespin will be placed on your finger to wear during this time, and it will measure the amount of oxygen in your blood. Length of Study: You will be considered off-study after the second walk test. If you do have lung surgery, researchers will monitor your health status by checking your medical records until you are discharged from the hospital or for 30 days after the lung surgery, whichever comes first. This is an investigational study. Using the 6-minute walk test for this study's purpose is considered experimental. Up to 101 patients will take part in this study. All will be enrolled at M. D. Anderson.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
101
Six-Minute walk tests at least one hour after vigorous exertion (such as exercise stress test) and at least 20 minutes in between the first and second six-minute walk tests
Scheduled gold standard exercise test, i.e. stress test, cycle ergometry with incremental workloads or oxygen consumption exercise studies
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas, United States
Correlation of pre-operative six-minute walk test results with that of the gold standard exercise test
Results used to correlate the pre-operative six-minute walk test results with that of the gold standard exercise test (stress test) through analysis of gas exchange and measurement of oxygen uptake \[oxygen volume (VO2)\]. For the six-minute walk tests, recorded parameters are distance walked and pulse oximetry saturation percentage levels, and for gold standard exercise test, recorded are the gas exchange and measurement of oxygen uptake (VO2, ml/kg/min). Equivalence test performed to establish that the new test (six-minute walk) is comparable to the gold standard test (the VO2 peak) with an acceptable decreased sensitivity.
Time frame: Up to 15 days to complete 3 tests (two six-minute walk tests and a stress test)
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