{
  "id": 14485045,
  "title": "Asthma drug improves motor function and strength in children with rare muscle diseases in small trial",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/asthma-drug-improves-motor-function-and-strength-in-children-with",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-14T16:20:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Medical Xpress",
    "slug": "medical-xpress",
    "url": "https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-10-asthma-drug-motor-function-strength.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A small study found that the asthma medication salbutamol may enhance motor abilities and muscle strength in children with rare inherited muscle disorders. Congenital myopathies are rare genetic conditions causing muscle weakness, which can interfere with walking, standing and arm/hand function. Currently, there is no cure for these diseases, so treatments mainly aim to manage symptoms and prevent complications.\n\nResearchers from the University of Gothenburg enrolled 18 children aged 6-16 with confirmed congenital myopathy. Half received salbutamol orally in addition to routine therapy for 24 weeks, while the other half received usual care alone. After a 24-week period, participants switched treatment regimens. Salbutamol treatment yielded a significant improvement in motor function scores compared to standard care (3.61 points higher on the standardized motor function rating scale). Participants also experienced increased grip strength, particularly in their dominant hand, and a modest rise in lung function capacity. In those able to walk, the distance covered in a six-minute walk test expanded by 38 meters, and the time needed to stand from the floor decreased by 2 seconds. Importantly, the treatment was well tolerated with no serious adverse effects reported.\n\nLead researcher Eva Michael, a pediatric neurology doctoral student, emphasized that the improvements in energy levels and daily functioning were particularly beneficial for affected children. She highlighted that the results are promising, but further larger studies are required to confirm the findings.",
  "summary": "Congenital myopathies are a group of rare, inherited muscle diseases that often cause muscle weakness in childhood. This weakness can affect, among other things, the ability to walk, stand up and use one's arms and hands, and in some cases, it can also affect the respiratory muscles.",
  "key_points": [
    "Asthma drug salbutamol improves motor function in children with congenital myopathy.",
    "Study of 18 children aged 6-16 showed significant motor function score increase.",
    "Participants also gained grip strength and lung function capacity."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}