| Methods |
Design: randomized, double blind, double‐dummy, placebo‐controlled, crossover study. 3 test days at same time of day, completed in 10 days. Participant performed 3 exercise tests on each study day. Method of randomization not described. Withdrawals: not mentioned. |
| Participants |
USA. N = 12 m. Age: 21‐38 (mean 27.3) Inclusion: asthmatic (ATS criteria), reproducible EIA (fall in FEV1 at least 20%), baseline FEV1 > 70% normal, no URI's in last 3 wks. Excluded: if on SCG or oral steroids in last month. FEV1 varied <15% between test days. Witheld: sustained‐release theophylline x 48 hrs, bronchodilators x 12 hrs. |
| Interventions |
In random order: 1) NCS 4 mg MDI plus placebo spinhaler capsule. 2) placebo MDI plus SCG 20 mg spinhaler capsule or 3) placebo MDI plus placebo spinhaler capsule 20 min. pre exercise test. Technique monitored. Test repeated at 2 & 4 hrs. post Tx. Exercise test: Inclined treadmill, 6 min., HR = 90% max predicted for age. |
| Outcomes |
Used a wedge spirometer & Knudson predicted values. Measured: FEV1, FVC, FEF 25‐75. pre Tx, 20 min. post Tx, then 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30 min. post exercise. Exercise test repeated without additional medication at 120 & 240 min. post Tx. Calculated: Max % fall FEV1, % protection, complete protection (% dec FEV1 <10%), clinical protection. Side effects: none from either drug.
Statistics: Anova |
| Notes |
Jadad score = 3
No author contact to date. |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Allocation concealment? |
Unclear risk |
Information not available |
