Summary of the item
The incremental shuttle walking test known as ISWT was developed to stimulate a cardiopulmonary exercise test using walking. In this test, the patient is required to walk between 2 cones in time to a set of auditory beeps played on CD. Initially walking is slow but each minute walking speed increases, until they are either breathless or can no longer keep up with beeps. The numbers of lap that is covered is recorded and each represent 10 meters, the results of the ISWT can be used to prescribe the intensity of walking exercise. The ISWT must be measured on two occasions to account for learning effect and the best result is recorded. If test is performed in one day, 30 minutes rest should be allowed between tests. In contrast to 6 min walking test no encouragement should be given to the patient. Before the ISWT obtain medical history of the patient and review precautions and contraindication to exercise are
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However, it is widely used with patients with COPD
Advantages and disadvantages in acute care/critical care
ISWT is easy to set up and doesn't require a lot of equipment, it is cost effective and it can be modified. It is the best predictor for writing exercise prescriptions based on the intensity that patient can tolerate. However, the disadvantages as with all beep type tests, practice and motivation levels can influence the score attained, and the scoring can be subjective and can be time consuming.
Potential benefit in PT
The incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) is a low cost, submaximal exercise test, which is commonly used in the assessment of aerobic fitness in a cardiac rehabilitation setting. ISWT is practical applications in the context of its validity, repeatability and its predictability in measuring aerobic fitness and can be helpful for Physical therapists to create exercise prescription based on patient aerobic tolerance for the better outcome.