Table 2 Results All results expressed as Medians in top line and Mean (and 95% CI) in second line.

FEV1

0.77

0.80

0.84

Pre-treatment

0.77 (0.65–0.89)

0.78 (0.61–0.95)

FEV1

0.75

0.73

0.74

Post nebulized saline

0.73 (0.62–0.84)

0.75 (0.59–0.91)

FEV1

0.80

0.77

0.63

Post salbutamol MDI

0.81 (0.67–0.94)

0.79 (0.62–0.96)

Breathlessness

4

4

0.34

Score 1 (Pre-treatment).

3.9 (3.6–4.3) (1 = Not breathless, 7 = Worst possible breathlessness)

3.5 (3.0–4.0)

Breathlessness

3

4

Score 2 (Post nebulized saline)

3.0 (2.6–3.5)

3.3 (2.8–3.9)

0.85

Wilcoxon test Score 1 V Score 2

<0.0001

0.37

Breathlessness

3

3

0.35

Score 3 (Post salbutamol MDI)

2.9 (2.5–3.3)

3.0 (2.6–3.5)

Wilcoxon test Score 2 V Score 3

0.43

0.014

Symptom Relief

3

1

0.0002

Score Post nebulized saline

3.1 (2.7–3.6) (1 = No benefit, 7 = Best possible benefit)

1.7 (1.2–2.3)

Symptom Relief

3

3

0.37

Score Post salbutamol MDI

3.2 (2.7–3.7)

2.9 (2.4–3.4)