Correlation of 6 minute walking performance with Quality of Life in Geriatric Population

This study titled "Correlation of 6 minute walking performance with Quality of Life in Geriatric Population" is a single centred, cross-sectional, observational study to be held at Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, AIIMS Guwahati for a period of two years. 

The study aims to correlate the performance in 6 minute walk test with Quality of Life in geriatric population aged 60 years and above. The study will measure the performance in 6 minute walk test in terms of total distance covered in meters and assess the quality of life in terms of SF 36 scores, and thereby the two variables will be correlated to assess the applicability of 6 minute walk test as a predictor of Quality of Life in geriatric population.

After informed consent and initial health assessment, the participants would be asked to fill up the pre-validated, free to use SF-36 Questionnaire. After the test, the 6 minute walking distance would be recorded as per American Thoracic Society Guidelines, and performance would be correlated with the SF 36 responses to find association. The study does not involve any intervention or randomization.

Confidentiality of subjects would be maintained as per ICMR Guidelines. Both Participant Information Sheet and Informed Written consent will be in English, Hindi And Assamese language (language preferred by the participant). The estimated sample size of the study is 101. Statistical analysis will be done by suitable tests like frequency percentage, Student’s t-test, Chi Square test, Pearson Correlation coefficient and Spearman rank correlation with a p value of less than 0.05 to be considered statistically significant. The study involves less than minimal risk. There is no conflict of interest.