Exercise intolerance is the main characteristic of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The six-minute walk test (6MWT) and cardiopulmonary exercise test are widely used in assessing exercise capacity of PAH patients. Six-minute walk distance (6MWD) has been specified as the main clinical outcome in PAH and has been used as the primary end-point in many studies conducted for new PAH treatments. Using 6MWD as the end-point in clinical studies has many advantages. 6MWT is an inexpensive, easily applicable, and repeatable standardized test that is well-tolerated by PAH patients. Moreover, it is a valid measure of symptomatic improvement. It is correlated with variables of maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test as a measure of submaximal exercise capacity and disease severity markers such as functional class and pulmonary hemodynamics. It is widely used in clinical practice together with other invasive and non-invasive disease markers in assessing disease progression and response to treatment. In addition, it has prognostic importance and is a good prognostic marker. On the other hand, there are limitations to the use of 6MWD as the primary end-point in PAH treatment. It has decreased sensitivity in individuals with less severe disease and high 6MWD at baseline and decreased adequacy in assessing the effects of treatment in patients who are still under PAH treatment. Despite the limitations, 6MWD plays a key role in the evaluation and management of PAH patients.

Inspiratory muscle training can improve pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength and functional capacity in patients with atrial fibrillation.

The programme improved most pulmonary performance measures and had clinical significance. Its sustained application may prevent respiratory complications frequently observed in the later stages of multiple sclerosis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of Kinesio Taping and compression stockings on pain, edema, functional capacity and quality of life in patients with chronic venous disease (CVD). Design: This is a prospective, randomized, controlled, single-blind clinical trial. Setting: The study was conducted in a physiotherapy and rehabilitation unit of a university hospital. Subjects: A total of 62 patients with early-stage CVD were allocated to either an experimental group or a control group. Interventions: Experimental group ( n = 29) received Kinesio Taping intervention once a week for four weeks, while control group ( n = 29) received compression stockings for four weeks. All patients additionally undertook an exercise training programme including calf muscle pump exercises, flexibility exercises and diaphragmatic breathing. Main measures: Visual analogue scale, lower limb circumference measurements, 6-minute walk test and Short Form 36 questionnaire were applied before and after four weeks of treatment. Results: Control group showed statistically significant improvements in pain ( P < 0.001), ankle circumferences (right, P = 0.002; left, P = 0.037), calf circumferences (right, P = 0.020; left, P = 0.022), knee circumference (left, P = 0.039) and thigh circumferences (right, P = 0.029; left, P = 0.002) compared with experimental group. There were no significant differences between groups with respect to functional capacity and quality of life ( P > 0.05). Both groups significantly improved 6-minute walk distance ( P < 0.001) and Short Form 36 physical component summary (experimental group, P = 0.002; control group, P = 0.006). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that Kinesio Taping and compression stockings revealed similar improvements of functional capacity and quality of life in patients with CVD. The symptoms of pain and edema caused by CVD can be decreased more efficiently with compression stockings than Kinesio Taping intervention.