Validity, Test-Retest Reliability, and Learning Effect on the 1-Minute Sit-To-Stand Test in Individuals With Heart Failure.

Abstract

To evaluate the reliability, the minimally important difference (MID), and the learning effect of the 1-minute sit-to-stand test (1STST) in assessing functional exercise capacity in patients with heart failure (HF). A cross-sectional study. Two hospitals. Patients with an HF (N=47) diagnosis by a cardiologist following the 2021 European Society of Cardiology HF guideline. Most participants were men (60%). Most participants had a normal body mass index (62%). All participants were classified as having New York Heart Association Functional Class II or III. Not applicable. Each patient performed a 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and 2 1STSTs on 2 occasions spaced 1 month apart. Test-retest reliability between occasions was evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), Bland-Altman plot analysis, and linear regression. The MID was determined using a distribution-based method. To assess the learning effect, we conducted a paired t test comparing the 2 1STSTs on each occasion, and the magnitude of the learning effect was quantified using Cohen's d. The correlation between the 1STST and 6MWT was performed to confirm validity. The 1STST showed good test-retest reliability (ICC=0.98, P<.001) with good agreement between the 2 measurements, without proportional bias (P>.05). The MID was 1.1 repetitions. A learning effect of the 1STST was observed (P<.001) with a large effect size when repeated a month later (Cohen's d>0.8). The 1STST strongly correlated with the 6MWT (r=0.74, P=.01). The 1STST is a valid and reliable measure of functional exercise capacity in patients with HF. Because of the learning effect, this study recommended performing 2 trials to capture the true value.