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++2016
Ultra-weak photon emission of hands in aging prediction
Xin Zhao, Eduard van Wijk, Yu Yan, Roeland van Wijk, Huanming Yang, Yan Zhang, Jian WangThis study, for which a full summary is not yet available, appears to investigate the relationship between ultra-weak photon emissions from the hands and the biological aging process. The title suggests researchers expl…
AgingbiophotonsUltra-weak photon emissionModel prediction - A++2016
Can fascia’s characteristics be influenced by manual therapy
Serge GracovetskyThis theoretical essay investigates the fundamental properties of collagen, a key component of fascia. The author explores how manual therapy might relate to the necessity of maintaining collagen's strength under load.…
Collagen; Models; MMP; Water - A++2016
Myofascial triggerpoint release (MTR) for treating chronic shoulder pain: A novel approach
Christopher-Marc Gordon, Frank Andrasik, Robert Schleip, Niels Birbaumer, Massimiliano ReaThis study evaluated a specific manual therapy, myofascial trigger point release (MTR), for chronic shoulder pain. Twenty-three participants received four 10-minute sessions over two weeks, applied only to their more pa…
Algometer; Chronic shoulder pain; Myofascial triggerpoint release; Myometer; Quality of life; Stress. - A++2016
Reduced diversity and altered composition of the gut microbiome in individuals with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome
Ludovic Giloteaux, Julia K. Goodrich, William A. Walters, Susan M. Levine, Ruth E. Ley, Maureen R. HansonResearchers investigated the gut microbiome and blood markers of inflammation in people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Compared to healthy controls, individuals with ME/CFS had reduced…
inflammationChronic fatigue syndromeMyalgic encephalomyelitisLipopolysaccharidesMicrobiome - A++2016
Whole-Body and Local Muscle Vibration Immediately Improve Quadriceps Function in Individuals With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Derek N Pamukoff, Brian Pietrosimone, Michael D Lewek, Eric D Ryan, Paul S Weinhold, Dustin R Lee, J Troy BlackburnThis randomized crossover trial investigated the immediate effects of vibration on quadriceps function in individuals with a prior anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Twenty participants performed isometric…
Musclevibrationsligament injury - A++2016
Ultra-weak photon emission in healthy subjects and patients with type 2 diabetes: evidence for a non-invasive diagnostic tool
Meina Yang, Wenyu Ding, Yanli Liu, Hua Fan, Rajendra P Bajpai, Jialei Fu, Jingxiang Pang, Xiaolei Zhao, Jinxiang HanAll living organisms emit extremely faint light, known as ultra-weak photon emission (UPE). This study investigated whether these light emissions differ between healthy individuals and people with type 2 diabetes. Resea…
fasciaphoton emissionbiological systemspathological statesUE - A++2016
The effect of an active vibration stimulus according to different shoulder joint angles on functional reach and stability of the shoulder joint
Eun-Kyung Kim, Seong-Gil KimThis study investigated how active vibration exercise with a Flexi-Bar at different shoulder angles affected shoulder joint function and stability in 30 healthy male students. Participants were divided into three groups…
Active vibration stimulusFlexi-BarShoulder joint angle - A++2016
Effects of matrix rhythm therapy on primary lymphedema: a case report
Ayse Neriman Narin, Ayse Zengin Alpozgen, Hilal Denizoglu KulliThis case report investigated the effects of Matrix Rhythm Therapy on a 36-year-old woman with primary lymphedema in her left leg. She received 20 sessions of the therapy over four weeks, applied to the affected leg, sp…
Matrix Rhythm TherapyLower limbPrimary lymphedema - A++2016
Estrogen and Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Ling Zhou, Anna Junjie Shangguan, Stacy Ann Kujawa, Katarzyna Bochenska, Lanmei Zhang, Serdar E Bulun, Hong ZhaoThis narrative review explores the relationship between estrogen and pelvic organ prolapse (POP), a condition where pelvic organs descend from their normal positions. Research suggests that low estrogen levels, particul…
Pelvic organ prolapse; Estrogen; Estrogen receptor; Collagen; Matrix metalloproteinases - A++2016
Microbiota-dependent sequelae of acute infection compromise tissue-specific immunity
Denise Morais da Fonseca, Timothy W Hand, Seong-Ji Han, Michael Y Gerner, Arielle Glatman Zaretsky, Allyson L Byrd, Oli…A single acute infection can have long-term consequences for tissue-specific immunity, even after the pathogen is cleared. This study found that following a gut infection with Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, sustained infl…
Gut microbiome / Immunity - A++2016
Three Case Reports of Successful Vibration Therapy of the Plantar Fascia for Spasticity Due to Cerebral Palsy-Like Syndrome, Fetal-Type Minamata Disease
Fusako Usuki, Satsuki TohyamaThis series of case reports describes the long-term effects of vibration therapy on lower-limb spasticity in three patients with fetal-type Minamata disease, a condition with symptoms similar to cerebral palsy. Research…
spasticityvibration therapyFDM - A++2016
Amelioration of estrogen deficiency-induced obesity by collagen hydrolysate
Tsay-I Chiang, I-Chang Chang, Hsueh-Hui Lee, Kuang Hui Hsieh, Yung-Wei Chiu, Te-Jen Lai, Jer-Yuh Liu, Li-Sung Hsu, Shao…This animal study on rats investigated how collagen hydrolysate supplementation might affect the weight gain often associated with estrogen deficiency, similar to menopause. Researchers found that rats receiving collage…
Collagen; Obesity; estrogen deficiency