Effect of a surgical mask on six minute walking distance

“Aim of the study: To evaluate the effect of wearing a surgical mask during 6MWT in healthy subjects.

Results: Distance was not modified by the mask (P=0.99). Dyspnea [shortness of breath or breathlessness] variation was significantly higher with surgical mask (+5.6 vs. +4.6; P<0.001) and the difference was clinically relevant. No difference was found for the variation of other parameters.

Conclusion: Wearing a surgical mask modifies significantly and clinically dyspnea without influencing walked distance.”