Introduction: As heart failure progresses, shortness of breath and fatigue increase. Due to structural and functional irregularities in heart functions, the activities of different hormones and sympathetic nervous system increase. The reduction of physical activity results in the loss of muscle mass, balance disturbances and difficulties in walking. To evaluate the mobility in adults on the low and basic level of functioning, from the acute phase to the clinical rehabilitation treatments, we currently use the de Morton mobility index – DEMMI and the two-minute walk test – 2MWT. Purpose: To validate the feasibility of the DEMMI and the 2MWT in patients with heart failure in the intensive care unit, and to evaluate the effects of the floor effect, their validity with the Barthel Index – BI and the six-minute walk test – 6MWT, and responsiveness. Methods: The research, which lasted six months, was performed on 35 patients, aged 47 – 93, with heart failure, who were treated in the intensive care unit. They were assessed with the DEMMI and the BI before their first physiotherapeutic treatment and when they were discharged from the intensive care. In case they were able to walk, even when they could only occasionally briefly touch the floor, we assessed them also with the 2MWT and the 6MWT, which were carried out simultaneously. Results: On average, the patients had 6.6 ± 2.9 physiotherapeutic treatments. The results of all tests improved when the patients were discharged: the DEMMI changed from 57.5 to 65.4 points (p < 0.01), the BI from 12.4 to 15.6 points (p < 0.01), the 2MWT from 61.2 to 76.1 m (p < 0.01), and the 6MWT from 148.8 to 196.3 m (p < 0.01). When testing with the DEMMI and the 2MWT there was no floor effect detected (0%). The convergent validity between the DEMMI and the BI was excellent or very high (assessment 1: r = 0.89), (assessment 2: r = 0.80), the convergent validity with the 2MWT was high or very high (assessment 1: r = 0.71), (assessment 2: r = 0.83), with the 6MWT was high or very high (assessment 1: r = 0.74), (assessment 2: r = 0.85). The convergent validity between the 6MWT and 2MWT was very high (assessment 1: r = 0.81), (assessment 2: r = 0.85). The size of all effects was rather low. Conclusion: The DEMMI in the 2MWT are applicable measuring devices to be used in intensive care unit in patients with heart failure. Both have no floor effect, have equal convergent validity as the BI and the 6MWT, and low responsiveness. Therefore, we recommend the DEMMI to be used in clinical practice in patients with heart failure, while the 6MWT should be replaced with the 2MWT.
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