Research.
Every peer-reviewed study on fascia in one place — graded for strength of evidence, summarised in plain language for clinicians, researchers, and curious readers.
We grade studies from A to 1A+++ using the Fascia Research Database rubric — 1A+++ is the strongest.
Researchers behind the studies- A+++2021
Variant connective tissue (joint hypermobility) and dysautonomia are associated with multimorbidity at the intersection between physical and psychological health
Jenny L L Csecs, Nicholas G Dowell, Georgia K Savage, Valeria Iodice, Christopher J Mathias, Hugo D Critchley, Jessica…This study investigated the links between joint hypermobility, autonomic nervous system dysfunction (dysautonomia), and anxiety in adults with mental health or neurodevelopmental conditions. Researchers found that this…
joint hypermobilityAnxietyautonomic dysfunctionmultimorbidity - A+++2021
Connecting brain and body: Transdiagnostic relevance of connective tissue variants to neuropsychiatric symptom expression
Harriet Emma Clare Sharp, Hugo D Critchley, Jessica A EcclesThis narrative review explores the growing evidence linking joint hypermobility, a common connective tissue variant, with a range of psychiatric conditions. The authors summarize the well-established connection to anxie…
Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome; Joint hypermobility; Mind-body relations; Neurodevelopmental disorders; Psychiatric disorders; Psychopathology. - A+++2021
Vitamins, the gut microbiome and gastrointestinal health in humans
Van T Pham, Susanne Dold, Ateequr Rehman, Julia K Bird, Robert E SteinertThis narrative review explores how various vitamins influence the gut microbiome and gastrointestinal health in humans. The research suggests that vitamins such as A, B, C, D, and E may increase the diversity of benefic…
Gastrointestinal health; Gut; Gut barrier function; Microbiome; Micronutrient; Vitamins - A+++2021
Cannabinoids in Breast Cancer: Differential Susceptibility According to Subtype
Cristina Ferreira Almeida, Natércia Teixeira, Georgina Correia-da-Silva, Cristina AmaralThis narrative review explores how different subtypes of breast cancer respond to cannabinoids like THC and CBD. Research suggests that estrogen receptor-negative cells may be more susceptible to these compounds than ho…
Cannabis sativa; anandamide; breast cancer; cannabidiol; cannabidivarin; cannabigerol; cannabinoids; cannabinol; Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol - A+++2021
Osteogenic effect of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound and whole-body vibration on peri-implant bone. An experimental in vivo study
Kenta Shobara, Toru Ogawa, Aya Shibamoto, Makiko Miyashita, Akiyo Ito, Ratri M SitalaksmiThis animal study in rats investigated whether low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) and whole-body vibration (WBV) could improve bone healing around titanium implants. Researchers compared the effects of LIPUS alone,…
low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS); low-magnitude high-frequency loading; osseointegration; osteogenesis; prostheses and implants. - A+++2021
Endocannabinoids and the Gut-Brain Control of Food Intake and Obesity
Nicholas V DiPatrizioThis narrative review explores how the endocannabinoid system in the upper gastrointestinal tract regulates gut-brain communication to control food intake and energy balance. Research suggests that these lipid-derived s…
CB1 receptor; endocannabinoid; food intake; gut-brain; intestine; reward - A+++2021
Reconnecting the Brain with the Rest of the Body in Musculoskeletal Pain Research
Helene M LangevinIn this commentary, the author argues that musculoskeletal pain research is often siloed into separate specialties like neuroscience, physical therapy, orthopedics, and rheumatology. This separation creates gaps in know…
Musculoskeletal pain; chronic pain; muscle; connective tissue; mind and body practices - A+++2021
Menopause and the Skin: Old Favorites and New Innovations in Cosmeceuticals for Estrogen-Deficient Skin
Edwin D Lephart, Frederick NaftolinThis narrative review explores how the decline in estrogen levels during menopause significantly impacts skin health and structural integrity. The loss of estrogen leads to reduced collagen and elastin production, along…
4′-Acetoxy resveratrol; Aging; Cosmeceuticals; Equol; Estrogen; Estrogen deficient skin; Hormone therapy; Menopause; Polyphenols; Skin - A+++2021
Potential Nociceptive Role of the Thoracolumbar Fascia: A Scope Review Involving In Vivo and Ex Vivo Studies
Larissa Sinhorim, Mayane Dos Santos Amorim, Maria Eugênia Ortiz, Edsel Balduino Bittencourt, Gianluca Bianco, Fabiana C…This scoping review compiles research on how the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) in the lower back contributes to pain perception. By examining both animal and human studies, the authors find that the fascia is richly suppli…
ex vivo; fascia; in vivo; innervation; lower back pain; nociceptor; pain; scoping review; thoracolumbar fascia - A+++2021
A Closer Look at the Cellular and Molecular Components of the Deep/Muscular Fasciae
Caterina Fede, Carmelo Pirri, Chenglei Fan, Lucia Petrelli, Diego Guidolin, Raffaele De Caro, Carla SteccoThis narrative review describes fascia as a complex and dynamic connective tissue network. This network is composed of different cell types, an extracellular matrix, and nerve fibers. Each component plays a specific rol…
fascia; cells; extracellular matrix; nerve - A+++2021
Nutrition Provides the Essential Foundation for Optimizing Mental Health
Julia J Rucklidge, Jeanette M Johnstone, Bonnie J KaplanThis review article explores the critical link between nutrition and mental health, written to guide psychologists in their clinical practice. The authors outline how a whole-foods diet supports brain function through v…
Vitamins; minerals; nutrition; nutrients; treatment; mental health - A+++2021
Cannabinoids in the landscape of cancer
Nagina Mangal, Simon Erridge, Nagy Habib, Anguraj Sadanandam, Vikash Reebye, Mikael Hans SodergrenThis narrative review explores how cannabinoids—including plant-derived, endogenous, and synthetic versions—interact with cancer in laboratory and animal models. The research suggests that these compounds may inhibit tu…
Cancer; Cannabidiol; Cannabinoid receptors; Cannabinoids; Endocannabinoid system; Tetrahydrocannabinol