153 The 15 m Shuttle Test is a valuable alternative to conventional shuttle tests in some CF patients

Abstract

Background There are several tests available for the long-term evaluation of exercise capacity. Of these tests, the 10 m and 20 m Shuttle Tests can be performed in CF patients but they may be either too short or too long in patients who are doing fine or who are very ill, respectively. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of a 15 m Shuttle Test (15MST) in CF children, adults and lung transplant recipients (LTR). Methods and Patients Forty-one stable patients performed a 15MST: 19 CF children (FEV1 83±13% pred), 16 CF adults (FEV1 67±23%) and 6 LTR (FEV1 83±14%). Results In CF children, level variability (LV) was between 4 and 12, performed distance was 654±253 m, extrapolated VO 2 max (eVO 2 max) was 43±3 ml/kg/min, heart rate (HR) was 133±15 bpm, SaO 2 was 97±1% and dyspnea score (Borg Scale) was 5±3. In CF adults, LV was between 2 and 10, performed distance 611±334 m, eVO 2 max 30±6 ml/kg/min, HR 159±17 bpm, SaO 2 89±6% and dyspnea score 8±1. In LTR, LV was between 2 and 5, performed distance 330±117 m, eVO 2 max 20±13 ml/kg/min, HR 140±14 bpm, SaO 2 96±1% and dyspnea score 8±1. Conclusion The 15MST is feasible and usable in CF children and adults as well as LTR patients. It can be an alternative to 10 m and 20 m Shuttle Tests but it must still be validated. This work was supported by a grant from the Belgian Cystic Fibrosis Association and is part of our educational project ‘Just move it! move it!'.