Two Minutes Step Test Versus Six Minutes’ Walk Test on Physical Capacity in Diabetic Neuropathy

Background:  Given that diabetes mellitus can cause physical tiredness, fatigue, muscle weakness, and decreased plantar sensitivity all of which are linked to normal aging changes. Functional capacity serves as a crucial indicator of the health of the patient, particularly in older adults.
Purpose: This study aimedto look at how the 2 minute’ step test and the 6 minute’ walk test affect a diabetic neuropathy patient's physical capabilities.
Martial and Method: The study was conducted on 60 paints suffering from diabetes mellitus with neuropathy. The following parameters were measured before and after the six-minute’ walking test and the two-minute’ step test: Heart rate, blood glucose level, O₂ saturation, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, Borg scale, and walking distance.
Results: There were no significance differences between the groups before the study. There were positive correlation between the 6 minute walking test and 2 min step test regarding heart rat, blood pressured O₂ saturation and Borg scale measurement when were asked to assess functional capacity.
Conclusion:  The 2 minute' step test and 6 minute walking test were used to measure functional capacity in diabetic neuropathy patients and 2 minute step test could be used when there were difficulties to use 6 minute walking test.