The 2MWT is a measurement of endurance that assesses walking distance over two minutes.
2 minutes
Adult
18 - 64
yearsElderly Adult
65 +
yearsInitially reviewed by Rachel Tappan, PT, NCS in 2010; Updated with references from the geriatric population by Ernesto Garcia, SPT and Matthew Walthers, SPT in 2011; Updated with references from the TBI population by Katie Hays, PT, DPT and the TBI EDGE task force of the Neurology Section of the APTA in 2012; Updated with references from the geriatric population by Ernesto Garcia, SPT and Matthew Walthers, SPT in 2012; Updated with references for the PD population in 2013.
Recommendations for use of the instrument from the Neurology Section of the American Physical Therapy Association’s Multiple Sclerosis Taskforce (MSEDGE), Parkinson’s Taskforce (PD EDGE), Spinal Cord Injury Taskforce (PD EDGE), Stroke Taskforce (StrokEDGE), Traumatic Brain Injury Taskforce (TBI EDGE), and Vestibular Taskforce (Vestibular EDGE) are listed below. These recommendations were developed by a panel of research and clinical experts using a modified Delphi process.
For detailed information about how recommendations were made, please visit:
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Abbreviations: |
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HR |
Highly Recommend |
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R |
Recommend |
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LS / UR |
Reasonable to use, but limited study in target group / Unable to Recommend |
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NR |
Not Recommended |
Recommendations Based on Parkinson Disease Hoehn and Yahr stage:
| I | II | III | IV | V | |
| PD EDGE | R | R | R | R | NR |
Recommendations based on level of care in which the assessment is taken:
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Acute Care |
Inpatient Rehabilitation |
Skilled Nursing Facility |
Outpatient Rehabilitation |
Home Health |
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MS EDGE |
UR |
UR |
UR |
UR |
UR |
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TBI EDGE |
LS |
LS |
LS |
LS |
LS |
Recommendations for use based on ambulatory status after brain injury:
| Completely Independent | Mildly dependant | Moderately Dependant | Severely Dependant | |
| TBI EDGE | LS | LS | NR | NR |
Recommendations based on EDSS Classification:
| EDSS 0.0 – 3.5 | EDSS 4.0 – 5.5 | EDSS 6.0 – 7.5 | EDSS 8.0 – 9.5 | |
| MS EDGE | UR | UR | UR | NR |
Recommendations for entry-level physical therapy education and use in research:
| Students should learn to administer this tool? (Y/N) | Students should be exposed to tool? (Y/N) | Appropriate for use in intervention research studies? (Y/N) | Is additional research warranted for this tool (Y/N) | |
| MS EDGE | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| PD EDGE | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not reported |
| TBI EDGE | No | Yes | Yes | Not reported |
Should only be used on individuals who are able to ambulate without physical assistance.
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Lower Extremity Amputation:
(Resnik & Borgia, 2011, n = 44 [unilateral LE amputations, > 2 years post, current prosthesis users], mean age = 66 (13) years, assessed twice in a week, US sample, LE Amputation)
Lower Extremity Amputation:
(Resnik & Borgia, 2011, LE Amputation)
Lower Extremity Amputation:
(Resnik & Borgia, 2011, LE Amputation)
Transtibial Amputation:
(Brooks et al, 2002, Transtibial Amputation)
Lower Extremity Amputees:
(Reid et al, 2015, n = 86, mean age = 60.0 (15.3) years, lower extremity amputees)
Lower Extremity Amputation:
(Salavati et al, 2010, n = 106, mean age = 44.9 (6.6) years, [lower limb amputees], Persian sample, LE Amputation)
Lower Extremity Amputation:
(Brooks et al, 2001, LE Amputation)
Multiple Sclerosis:
(Gijbels et al, 2010; n = 50 (29 mild, 21 moderate MS); mean age = 49 (10) years; assessed twice at a 7 day interval, Belgium sample, Multiple Sclerosis)
(Gijbels et al, 2011, n = 40, ambulatory pwMS, mean age=48, Belgium sample, Multiple Sclerosis)
Multiple Sclerosis:
(Gijbels et al, 2010, Multiple Sclerosis)
Multiple Sclerosis:
(Gijbels et al, 2010, Multiple Sclerosis)
(Gijbels et al, 2012, n = 189, mean age = 47 (11) years, European and US sample, cross-sectional multicentre design, Multiple Sclerosis)
Multiple Sclerosis:
(Gijbels et al, 2010, Multiple Sclerosis)
Multiple Sclerosis:
(Gijbels et al, 2010, Multiple Sclerosis)
(Gijbels et al, 2011, Multiple Sclerosis)
Multiple Sclerosis:
(Gijbels et al, 2011, Multiple Sclerosis)
(Gijbels et al, 2012, Multiple Sclerosis)
Multiple Sclerosis:
(Gijbels et al, 2012, Multiple Sclerosis)
Older Adults:
(Connelly & Thomas, 2009, n = 16, residents of long term care [LTC], mean age 87, Canadian sample, Older Adults)
Older Adults:
(Connelly & Thomas, 2009, Older Adults)
Older Adults:
(Connelly & Thomas, 2009, Older Adults)
Older Adults:
(Connelly & Thomas, 2009, Older Adults)
Older Adults:
(Connelly & Thomas, 2009, Older Adults)
(Brooks et al, 2004, n = 122, mean age = 63 (9) years, [patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting], Canadian sample, Older Adults)
Geriatrics:
(Brooks et al, 2006, Inpatient Geriatrics)
(Brooks et al, 2006, n = 52; mean age = 79.9 (7.7); length of stay in rehab = 1.4 (0.6), Geriatrics)
Older Adults:
(Connelly & Thomas, 2009, Older Adults)
Geriatrics:
(Brooks et al, 2006, Inpatient Geriatrics)
Older Adults:
(Brooks et al, 2007, n = 52, mean age = 80(8) years, Canadian sample, Older Adults)
SCI:
(Lemay & Nadeau, 2010; n = 32; mean age = 47.9 (12.8); mean time post lesion 77.2 (44.3) days, SCI)
SCI:
(Lemay & Nadeau, 2010, SCI)
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Convergent Validity Evidence: |
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Measure |
2MWT |
10MWT |
TUG |
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BBS |
0.781** |
0.792** |
-0.815** |
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2MWT |
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0.932 a** |
-0.623 a** |
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10MWT |
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-0.646 a** |
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a = Pearson’s product moment correlation; other coefficients are Spearman’s r |
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**Significant at p < 0.01 |
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COPD:
(Leung et al, 2006, n = 45, mean age = 71.8 (8.3) years, Chinese sample, COPD)
COPD:
(Leung et al, 2006, COPD)
Neurologic:
(Rossier & Wade, 2001, n = 46 (21 chronic stroke, 25 other), mean age = 47 (13) years, assessed twice at a 7 day interval, UK sample, Neurologic)
Neurologic:
(Rossier & Wade, 2001, Neurologic)
Neurologic Impairment:
(Rossier & Wade, 2001, Neurologic Impairment)
Neurologic Impairment:
(Rossier & Wade, 2001)
Cardiac Surgery (CABG):
(Brooks et al, 2004, n = 122 (but 20 lost during follow-up); mean age=63.4 (8.6); 49% NYHA class I or II, 28% NYHA class III or IV, CABG)
Cardiac Surgery (CABG):
(Brooks et al, 2004, CABG)
Brooks, D., Davis, A. M., et al. (2006). "Validity of 3 physical performance measures in inpatient geriatric rehabilitation." Arch Phys Med Rehabil 87(1): 105-110.
Brooks, D., Davis, A. M., et al. (2007). "The feasibility of six-minute and two-minute walk tests in in-patient geriatric rehabilitation." Can J Aging 26(2): 159-162.
Brooks, D., Hunter, J. P., et al. (2002). "Reliability of the two-minute walk test in individuals with transtibial amputation." Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 83(11): 1562-1565.
Brooks, D., Parsons, J., et al. (2001). "The 2-minute walk test as a measure of functional improvement in persons with lower limb amputation." Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 82(10): 1478-1483.
Brooks, D., Parsons, J., et al. (2004). "The two-minute walk test as a measure of functional capacity in cardiac surgery patients." Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 85(9): 1525-1530.
Canning, C. G., Ada, L., et al. (2006). "Walking capacity in mild to moderate Parkinson's disease." Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 87(3): 371-375.
Connelly, D. M., Thomas, B. K., et al. (2009). "Clinical utility of the 2-minute walk test for older adults living in long-term care." Physiotherapy Canada 61(2): 78-87.
Ellis, T., Katz, D. I., et al. (2008). "Effectiveness of an inpatient multidisciplinary rehabilitation program for people with Parkinson disease." Phys Ther 88(7): 812-819.
Gijbels, D., Alders, G., et al. (2010). "Predicting habitual walking performance in multiple sclerosis: relevance of capacity and self-report measures." Mult Scler 16(5): 618-626.
Gijbels, D., Dalgas, U., et al. (2012). "Which walking capacity tests to use in multiple sclerosis? A multicentre study providing the basis for a core set." Mult Scler 18(3): 364-371.
Gijbels, D., Eijnde, B. O., et al. (2011). "Comparison of the 2- and 6-minute walk test in multiple sclerosis." Mult Scler 17(10): 1269-1272.
Hiengkaew, V., Jitaree, K., et al. (2012). "Minimal detectable changes of the Berg Balance Scale, Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale, Timed "Up & Go" Test, gait speeds, and 2-minute walk test in individuals with chronic stroke with different degrees of ankle plantarflexor tone." Arch Phys Med Rehabil 93(7): 1201-1208.
Kosak, M. and Smith, T. (2005). "Comparison of the 2-, 6-, and 12-minute walk tests in patients with stroke." J Rehabil Res Dev 42(1): 103-107.
Lemay, J. F. and Nadeau, S. (2010). "Standing balance assessment in ASIA D paraplegic and tetraplegic participants: concurrent validity of the Berg Balance Scale." Spinal Cord 48(3): 245-250.
Leung, A. S., Chan, K. K., et al. (2006). "Reliability, validity, and responsiveness of a 2-min walk test to assess exercise capacity of COPD patients." Chest 130(1): 119-125.
Light, K. E., Bebrman, A. L., et al. (1997). "The 2-minute walk test: a tool for evaluating walking endurance in clients with Parkinson's disease." Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy 21(4): 136.
Miller, P. A., Moreland, J., et al. (2002). "Measurement properties of a standardized version of the two-minute walk test for individuals with neurological dysfunction." Physiotherapy Canada 54(4): 241-248.
Reid, L., Thomson, P., Besemann, M., & Dudek, N. (2015). "Going places: Does the two-minute walk test predict the six-minute walk test in lower extremity amputees?." Journal of rehabilitation medicine, 47(3): 256-261.
Resnik, L. and Borgia, M. (2011). "Reliability of outcome measures for people with lower-limb amputations: distinguishing true change from statistical error." Physical Therapy 91(4): 555-565.
Reuben, D. B., Magasi, S., et al. (2013). "Motor assessment using the NIH Toolbox." Neurology 80(11 Supplement 3): S65-S75.
Rossier, P. and Wade, D. T. (2001). "Validity and reliability comparison of 4 mobility measures in patients presenting with neurologic impairment." Arch Phys Med Rehabil 82(1): 9-13.
Salavati, M., Mazaheri, M., et al. (2011). "The Persian version of locomotor capabilities index: translation, reliability and validity in individuals with lower limb amputation." Quality of Life 嫩B研究院 20(1): 1-7.
Schenkman, M., Ellis, T., et al. (2011). "Profile of functional limitations and task performance among people with early- and middle-stage Parkinson disease." Phys Ther 91(9): 1339-1354.
Stewart, D. A., Burns, J. M. A., et al. (1990). "The two-minute walking test: a sensitive index of mobility in the rehabilitation of elderly patients." Clinical Rehabilitation 4(4): 273-276.
White, D. K., Wagenaar, R. C., et al. (2009). "Changes in walking activity and endurance following rehabilitation for people with Parkinson disease." Arch Phys Med Rehabil 90(1): 43-50.
We have reviewed more than 500 instruments for use with a number of diagnoses including stroke, spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury among several others.