The study was designed to determine whether tiotropium inhalation capsules, compared to placebo, enhances the improvement in exercise tolerance seen in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who participate in pulmonary rehabilitation. In addition, assessments of the effect of tiotropium on dyspnea and quality of life following pulmonary rehabilitation were taken.

Inclusion Criteria:

History of COPD, FEV1 of less than or equal than 60% of predicted normal and less than or equal to 70% at Visit 1, Male or Female 40 years or greater, smoking history of more than 10 pack years (current or ex-smokers), patient can perform all study related tests, patients can inhale medication from HandiHaler and from meter dose inhaler, patients who would benefit from participation in a pulmonary rehab program and patients who had a medical clearance to participate in a pulmonary rehab program.

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients with significant diseases other than COPD, patients with clinically relevant abnormal baseline hematology, blood chemistry or urinalysis, all patients with SGOT greater than 80IU/L, bilirubin greater than 2.0 mg/dl or creatinine greater than 2.0 mg/dL, recent history of MI (6 months or less). any cardiac arrhythmia requiring drug therapy or has abeen hospitalized for heart failure with the past 3 years, active TB, history of CA or had treatment within the last 24 months, history of CF, bronchiectasis, interstitial lung disease or pulmonary thromboembolic disease.