Methods: Patients were randomized to a cross-over design of once-daily NVA237 50 μg or
placebo for 3 weeks, with a 14-day washout. Exercise endurance, inspiratory capacity (IC)
during exercise, IC and expiratory volumes from spirometry, plethysmographic lung volumes,
leg discomfort and dyspnea under exercise (Borg scales), and transition dyspnea index were
measured on Days 1 and 21 of treatment. The primary endpoint was endurance time during a
submaximal constant-load cycle ergometry test on Day 21.
Results: A total of 108 patients were randomized to different