Baseline characteristics of the asthmatics included in the study
| Control group | Intervention group | |
| Subjects n | 39 | 39 |
| Sex, Male | 8 (21) | 15 (39) |
| Age yrs | 44±12 | 41±12 |
| Smoking habits | ||
| current smokers | 13 (33) | 9 (23) |
| Employed | 24 (62) | 29 (74) |
| FEV1 % pred | 95±17 | 93±13 |
| FVC % pred | 105±15 | 104±12 |
| FEV1 % | 78±9 | 75±8 |
Data are presented as n (%) or mean±sd
FEV1: forced expiratory volume in one second
FVC: forced vital capacity
% pred: per cent predicte.
FEV1 % was calculated according to the following, (FEV1/FVC)×100