Study design (if review, criteria of inclusion for studies)
Placebo-controlled cross-over trial over 2 days
Participants
9 adults, no details given of age or sex of participants
Interventions
Maximal cycle ergometry on 2 days with either single dose of inhaled salbutamol (600 mcg) compared to placebo taken before exercise
Outcome measures
(Exercise capacity data not included in analysis) Change in FEV1, exercise duration in seconds and maximal oxygen uptake in litres/min.
Main results
Within-day FEV1 comparisons demonstrated that the placebo test day FEV1 improved significantly post-exercise (0.11 L, p<0.05) and the salbutamol test day FEV1 improved significantly post-inhaler (0.22 L, p<0.001) and post-exercise (0.07 L, p<0.01). Between-day FEV1 comparisons demonstrated significant improvements in post-inhaler (0.17 L, p<0.05) and post-exercise (0.13 L, p<0.05) FEV1 following salbutamol. Sub-maximal and maximal exercise showed no significant difference as shown by Exdur (547+/-154 s vs. 529+/-127 s) and VO2max (1.9+/-0.5 L/min vs. 1.9+/-0.6 L/min). No significant change in breathing pattern, dyspnoea or leg-discomfort was detected. The study had a power of 92% to detect a 10% improvement in Exdur.
Authors' conclusions
In adults with CF, salbutamol improves post-exercise FEV1 and is safe when administered immediately before exercise but does not improve exercise capacity, exercise-induced dyspnoea or leg-discomfort.
Keywords: Adrenergic beta-Agonists; Adult; Albuterol; Bronchodilator Agents; exercise; Inhalation OR nebulised; non pharmacological intervention - devices OR physiotherapy; pharmacological_intervention; Salbutamol; Respiratory System Agents;