Table 1 Synthesis of evidence regarding measurement properties: comparison of outcome measures

Functional capacity

6-minute walk test

x

x

8 studies [22–27, 39–41], predicts: survival, post-op outcomes (complications, LOS, 6MWT, HRQoL) and development of RP

1 study [26, 27], strongly correlated with RFT

12-minute walk test

x

x

x

x

Incremental-shuttle walk test

x

1 study [30], strongly correlated with CPET

2 studies [30, 64], predicts: survival and post-op outcomes

3 studies [30, 44, 64], moderately correlated with muscle strength; little, moderate and strong correlation with RFT; little correlation with mastery questionnaire

Endurance-shuttle walk test

x

x

x

x

Stair-climb test

x

1 study [29], strongly correlated with CPET

13 studies [21, 22, 32–39, 41–43], predicts: post-op outcomes (complications, LOS, cost) and survival

2 studies [20, 31], strong correlation between VO₂peak and altitude reached; direct association between pre and post-op SCT results

Physical activity

Accelerometer

x

x

x

3 studies [46–51], strongly correlated with estimated EE and sleep; moderately correlated with depression, HRQoL and PS

Pedometer

x

x

x

1 study [53], moderately correlated with CPET

Muscle strength

Hand-held dynamometry

x

x

x

x

Hand-held dynamometry with pulley force sensor

1 study [52], very good intra-rater reliability; large SEM

x

x

x

Hand-grip dynamometry

1 study [28], moderate intra-rater reliability

x

x

x

Manual-muscle test

x

x

x

x

One-repetition maximum

x

x

x

x

Chair-stand test

x

x

x

1 study [53], moderately correlated with PS and fatigue