Configuration variability of the six-minute walk test among licensed physical therapists working with neurologic conditions: a pilot survey.

Background: The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is considered reliable and valid for assessing walking capacity in people with neurologic conditions. However, the consistency in the test length and configuration used is unclear.

Purpose: To determine how the 6MWT was configured by licensed physical therapists working with patients with neurologic conditions in clinical practice, identify their knowledge of the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy (ANPT) guidelines for the 6MWT and assess relationships between therapist demographic characteristics and knowledge of the 6MWT guidelines.