Summary
| Direction in PACVS | ↓ Reduced — lower than in the comparison group |
|---|---|
| Category | Functional |
| Also described as | Exercise capacity |
| Compared against | HC (healthy controls) |
| Associated symptoms | Reduced functional capacity |
| Test type | Clinical or physiological test |
| Source | Halma 2024 — doi:10.2196/preprints.70342 |
| Condition atlas | PACVS Biomarker Atlas |
Other conditions where 6-minute walk distance is reported
- 6-minute walk distance in Gulf War Illness — ↓ reduced vs HGV
- 6-minute walk distance in ME/CFS — ↓ reduced vs HC
See the cross-condition hub: 6-minute walk distance across conditions.
Trials, interventions and tests
In clinical-trial registrations this marker maps to the outcome term Exercise capacity (24 registered trials use a matching outcome measure).
Clinical trials using 6-minute walk distance as an outcome
- NCT06631287: Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial EValuating Baricitinib on PERSistent NEurologic and Cardiopulmonary Symptoms of Long COVID (Recruiting)
Outcome measure: Exercise capacity including the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) at 6- and 12-months - NCT06404060: RECOVER-ENERGIZE Platform Protocol_Appendix A (Exercise Intolerance) (Active Not Recruiting)
Outcome measure: Change in Endurance Shuttle Walk Test (ESWT) - NCT05890534: Pycnogenol® in Post-COVID-19 Condition (Completed)
Outcome measure: Functional exercise capacity - NCT07553897: Tele-exercise Training Program for Long COVID (Completed)
Outcome measure: Cardiorespiratory Fitness - Peak Oxygen Uptake (VO₂peak) - NCT06928272: Long Covid (LC)-REVITALIZE - A Long Covid Repurposed Drug Study (Recruiting)
Outcome measure: Exercise capacity assessed by the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) - NCT05513560: RECLAIM: Recovering From COVID-19 Lingering Symptoms Adaptive Integrative Medicine (Completed)
Outcome measure: Six Minute Walking Test (6MWT) with oximetry - NCT06452095: Recovering From COVID-19 Lingering Symptoms Adaptive Integrative Medicine Trial - Effect of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for the Treatment of Post COVID Condition (Recruiting)
Outcome measure: Six Minute Walking Test (6MWT) with oximetry - NCT05926505: Safety and Efficacy of Anakinra Treatment for Patients With Post Acute Covid Syndrome (Recruiting)
Outcome measure: Score of PACS progression reversal
16 more trials reference this marker.
Interventions studied alongside this marker
Hypothesis-generating links from trial outcome usage and literature co-occurrence. Not treatment recommendations.
- Exercise therapy — 5 trials, 6 PubMed co-citations
e.g. Effects of eccentric cycling training on aerobic and functional capacity in patients with heart failure: A… - Anakinra — 1 trial, 6 PubMed co-citations
e.g. Interleukin-1 blockade in heart failure: an on-treatment and off-treatment cardiorespiratory fitness analysis. - Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation — 1 trial, 6 PubMed co-citations
e.g. Integrated Mindfulness and Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Improves Cardiopulmonary Performance and… - Pulmonary Rehabilitation Protocol — 1 trial, 6 PubMed co-citations
e.g. Would Integrating Inspiratory Muscle Training into Pulmonary Rehabilitation of Adults with Burn Injuries… - Transcranial direct current stimulation — 1 trial, 4 PubMed co-citations
e.g. Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on mental fatigue reduction and physical performance… - Motor Training — 1 trial, 1 PubMed co-citations
e.g. Effectiveness of Rehabilitation Interventions on Adults With COVID-19 and Post-COVID-19 Condition. A… - Cognitive Training — 1 trial, 5 PubMed co-citations
e.g. Intensive pulmonary rehabilitation in a pediatric lung transplantation patient: A case report. - Acceptance and commitment therapy — 1 trial, 2 PubMed co-citations
e.g. Acceptability and feasibility of acceptance and commitment therapy for improving outcomes in hematopoietic…
Related Functional markers in PACVS
- Orthostatic heart rate increment ↑
- Exertional SpO₂ nadir ↓
- Salivary nitric oxide ↓
- Chester Step Test (VO₂ proxy) ↓
- Heart rate variability (HRV) ↓
- PAC-19QoL score ↓
- Neurofilament light chain (NfL) ↑
Full list: PACVS Biomarker Atlas.
Frequently asked questions
Is 6-minute walk distance high or low in PACVS?
Reduced. Studies summarised in the OSMF atlas report lower 6-minute walk distance in PACVS than in healthy controls. Source: Halma 2024.
What symptoms is 6-minute walk distance associated with in PACVS?
The cited literature associates this marker with Reduced functional capacity. These are population-level associations and do not mean the marker causes the symptoms.
Which test measures 6-minute walk distance?
It is measured as a clinical or physiological test. Many of the cited studies used research-grade assays, so clinical availability may vary.
Is one abnormal 6-minute walk distance result diagnostic of PACVS?
No. No single biomarker is diagnostic of PACVS. 6-minute walk distance findings come from group comparisons, overlap considerably between patients and controls, and vary with study design, timing and comparison group. A result should be interpreted by a clinician alongside symptoms, history and other tests.
Is 6-minute walk distance specific to PACVS?
No. The same marker is also reported in Gulf War Illness, ME/CFS in this atlas, so it reflects shared biology (for example inflammation or vascular stress) rather than a condition-specific signature.
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Last reviewed: 2026-06-30 · Page generated from pacvs.json · Browse: PACVS atlas · Biomarker Index · All marker pages
Disclaimer: This page is an educational synthesis of published, peer-reviewed research and is not medical advice. Biomarker findings vary across studies with case definitions, comparison groups, timing and assay methods. Direction of change reflects the predominant finding in the cited source and does not establish a diagnostic threshold. Discuss any test result with a qualified clinician.