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++2020
Higher Circulating Cortisol in the Follicular vs. Luteal Phase of the Menstrual Cycle: A Meta-Analysis
Ajna Hamidovic, Kristina Karapetyan, Fadila Serdarevic, So Hee Choi, Tory Eisenlohr-Moul, Graziano PinnaThis meta-analysis investigated how levels of the stress hormone cortisol vary across the menstrual cycle in healthy women. By synthesizing data from multiple high-quality studies, researchers found that cortisol levels…
cortisol; follicular; hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis; hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis; luteal; menstrual cycle - A++2020
Fascia and soft tissues innervation in the human hip and their possible role in post-surgical pain
Caterina Fede, Andrea Porzionato, Lucia Petrelli, Chenglei Fan, Carmelo Pirri, Carlo Biz, Raffaele De Caro, Carla SteccoResearchers investigated the nerve supply to various soft tissues in the human hip to better understand persistent pain after hip replacement surgery. Analyzing tissue samples from patients and cadavers, they measured t…
fasciapaininnervationproprioceptionSoft tissue - A++2020
Local low-intensity vibration improves healing of muscle injury in mice
Thomas F Corbiere, Timothy J KohIn this animal study, researchers investigated how local low-intensity vibration (LIV) affects muscle injury healing in mice. After lacerating the gastrocnemius (calf) muscle in mice, one group received daily vibration…
skeletal muscle injurycell culturemechanical stimulationmouse modelmuscle repair - A++2020
Mechanical sensing protein PIEZO1 regulates bone homeostasis via osteoblast-osteoclast crosstalk
Lijun Wang, Xiuling You, Sutada Lotinun, Lingli Zhang, Nan Wu, Weiguo ZouThis study using mouse models investigates how the protein PIEZO1 acts as a mechanical sensor in the skeleton to regulate bone mass. Researchers found that a deficiency of PIEZO1 in bone-forming cells (osteoblasts) lead…
mechanotransductionpiezobone homeostasis - A++2020
The Structure and Role of Intramuscular Connective Tissue in Muscle Function
Peter P PurslowThis narrative review analyzes the microscopic structure of intramuscular connective tissue—endomysium, perimysium, and epimysium—and its role in muscle function. Rather than acting simply as a container, this connectiv…
extracellular matrixMusclecollagenmechanotransductionperimysium - A++2019
High Cortisol and the Risk of Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease: A Review of the Literature
Sami Ouanes, Julius PoppThis literature review examines the relationship between the stress hormone cortisol and the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The research suggests that chronically elevated cortisol levels may have deleterious…
cognition; cortisol; dementia; executive functions; memory - A++2019
Acute Effects of Static Stretching on Muscle Strength and Power: An Attempt to Clarify Previous Caveats
Helmi Chaabene, David G Behm, Yassine Negra, Urs GranacherThis narrative review examines how static stretching affects subsequent strength and power. While static stretching was once thought to hinder performance, recent evidence suggests the duration of the stretch is the cri…
physiologyrange of motioninjurypassive stretchingphysical fitness - A++2019
Effects of season long participation on ACL volume in female intercollegiate soccer athletes
Karen M Myrick, Andreas Voss, Richard S Feinn, Thomas Martin, Bernadette M Mele, Juan C GarbalosaThis study investigated how a competitive season affects the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in female collegiate soccer players. Researchers used MRI scans to measure ACL volume in 17 athletes before and after their s…
collagenAnterior cruciate ligamentintense physical trainingvolumetric changes in ligamentpre- to post season changes in ligament - A++2019
Role of the immune system in vascular function and blood pressure control induced by faecal microbiota transplantation in rats
Marta Toral, Iñaki Robles Vera, Néstor de la Visitación, Miguel Romero, Manuel Sánchez, Manuel Gómez Guzmán, Alba Rodri…This animal study investigated the link between gut bacteria, the immune system, and blood pressure in rats. Researchers transplanted gut microbiota between spontaneously hypertensive rats and rats with normal blood pre…
hypertensionendothelial dysfunctiongut dysbiosisimmune cells - A++2019
Effect of Vitamin C Infusion on Organ Failure and Biomarkers of Inflammation and Vascular Injury in Patients With Sepsis and Severe Acute Respiratory Failure
Alpha A Fowler, Jonathon D Truwit, R Duncan Hite, Peter E Morris, Christine DeWilde, Anna Priday, Bernard Fisher, Leroy…This randomized controlled trial investigated whether intravenous vitamin C could help patients with sepsis and severe acute respiratory failure. Researchers gave 167 patients either a high-dose vitamin C infusion or a…
sepsisintravenous vitamin C - A++2019
Fascial Entrapment Neuropathy
ANTONIO STECCO, CARMELO PIRRI, CARLA STECCOThis narrative review explores how fascia can contribute to nerve entrapment syndromes, which cause pain, sensory abnormalities, and weakness. The authors describe how nerves are surrounded by a microenvironment of conn…
nerve; nerve entrapment; fascia; Parsonage-Turner - A++2019
A History of Fascia
Sue Adstrum, H NicholsonThis historiographic review surveys how the anatomical term "fascia" has been portrayed throughout history. The authors found that its meaning has varied considerably during the 400 years the term has been used in Engli…
anatomical terminology; fascia; fascial system; integrative anatomy; medical history