Assisted 6-minute cycling test: An exploratory study in children.
INTRODUCTION
The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) is frequently used as an outcome measure for clinical trials in neuromuscular disease. Because this submaximal endurance test is not feasible for nonambulatory patients, the motor-assisted 6-minute cycling test (A6MCT) was developed.


METHODS
Nineteen children with neuromuscular disorders and children with OXPHOS-dysfunction performed the a6MCT and the 6MWT to explore feasibility and construct validity. Test-retest reproducibility was evaluated within 3 weeks.


RESULTS
The assisted 6-minute cycling test was feasible in 90% and 78% of the patients with a neuromuscular disorder and OXPHOS-dysfunction, respectively. The A6MCT for legs correlated with the 6MWT in both patient groups. The assisted 6-minute cycling showed good reproducibility for both legs and arms.


CONCLUSIONS
This exploratory study indicates that the assisted 6-minute cycling test is a promising outcome measure for patients with a neuromuscular disorder and patients with OXPHOS-dysfunction. Muscle Nerve, 2015. Muscle Nerve 54: 232-238, 2016.
['Dirks|Ilse|I|', 'Koene|Saskia|S|', 'Verbruggen|Renee|R|', 'Smeitink|Jan A M|JA|', 'Jansen|Merel|M|', 'Groot|Imelda J M De|IJ|']
D000293:Adolescent D002648:Child D005080:Exercise Test D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008297:Male D028361:Mitochondrial Diseases D009426:Netherlands D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases D011594:Psychometrics D015203:Reproducibility of Results D016138:Walking
6-minute walk test (6MWT) outcome measure neuromuscular disorders OXHPOS dysfunction in muscle assisted 6-minute cycling test (A6MCT)