Effect of Face Masks on Respiratory Parameters After Six Minute Walk Test in Apparently Healthy Individuals

Objectives: To see the effect of wearing of face masks on the oxygen saturation (SpO2) and respiratory rate after six minute walk test in apparently healthy individuals. Materials and Methods: Cross sectional study, Clearance from the ethical committee of KGMU is taken. The study has been done on 104 subjects (86 male and 18 female) aged between 20 to 50 yrs. 30 meter corridor common among departments of physiology and biochemistry (KGMU) were selected. Three layer face masks from company “Romsons” (Dispo Guard) were used in the study. Discussion & Result: 6MWT is to evaluate CRF in clinical scenario. We are using it to determine the effect of face masks on oxygen saturation and respiratory rate after six minute walk test. we found significant change (p<0.001) in SpO2 and RR.in both conditions i.e after walk without masks and walk with masks Conclusion: A conclusion has been drawn that respiratory parameters changes significant which suggests that face masks use matters significantly but as the benefits from its use is to protect from infections and pollutions and many more so the use is to be continued. Key words: 6MWT, Face Mask, Healthy Individuals