Validation of Stroke-specific Protocols for the 10-meter Walk Test and 6-minute Walk Test Conducted Using 15-meter and 30-meter Walkways

: Stroke-specific protocols for the 10-meter and 6-minute walk tests that include instructions for people with aphasia, accessible walkway lengths, and allow provision of assistance to walk are needed to facilitate uptake in hospital settings.: To estimate the test-retest reliability, measurement error, and construct validity of stroke-specific protocols for the 10-meter walk test (10mWT), and 6-minute walk test conducted using a 15-meter walkway (6MWT) and 30-meter walkway (6MWT), in people post-stroke. A quantitative, cross-sectional study involving ambulatory people post-stroke was conducted.: Data were collected from 21 and 20 participants at baseline and retest, respectively, 1-3 days apart. Mean age was 61 years, median time post-stroke was 134 days, and 90% had experienced an ischemic stroke. Performance on the 10mWT, 6MWT, and 6MWT across sessions yielded intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) estimates of test-retest reliability of 0.83, 0.97, 0.95, respectively, and minimal detectable change values at the 95% confidence level of 0.40m/s, 44.0m, and 67.5m, respectively. Pearson correlation coefficients were 0.80-0.95 ( < .001) between results on all three walk tests and 0.27-0.48 ( < .25) between walk test results and strength subscale scores on the Stroke Impact Scale.: Findings showed excellent test-retest reliability; measurement error values similar to current literature; and support for construct validity of the 10mWT, 6MWT, and 6MWT. Due to the shorter walkway, the 6MWT may be more feasible to implement than the 6MWT in hospital settings. A larger sample with more severe deficits is required to improve generalizability.